So About that South America Trip...

Masaya, Nicaragua

Remember last week when I said one of my besties and I decided to take a trip of a lifetime to Rio, Buenos Aires, and practically everywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere?  Well, we seemed to have forgotten to check our wallets before making these grand plans.  Seems we decided on the two most expensive cities in South America, and tragically, we are not trust-fund babies.

So we hit the travel guides again, restarted our research, and have decided on a new destination:  Nicaragua!

We are super excited for it all:  trekking through the jungle, climbing volcanoes, exploring the Masaya marketplace, visiting the oldest towns in Central America, and of course, soaking it all up on the gorgeous beaches!  What more could a girl want while traveling on a dime!

Has anyone been?  Any advise or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Augustines at the 9:30 Club

9:30 Club

Last night I went out to celebrate the belated birthday of one of my besties, and if you know the two of us, you know that the perfect venue for this birthday celebration was the 9:30 Club.  Arguably the best small music venue in America, the 9:30 Club is famous for bringing in big names for an intimate setting, and I've been lucky enough to see some of my favorite bands there over the years.

We actually went last night specifically for the opening band, Augustines (formally known as We Are Augustines).  They are so good, and even better live, and I'm surprised that they haven't caught on and made it big yet.  Here's a sampling of their songs from their first album, and they have a new one coming out soon.



They opened for Frightened Rabbit, a really fun band from Glasgow, and although we didn't know them well, ended up staying and rocking out to them for the rest of the night!  Sad that we missed the DC Drag Races this year, but happy to have stayed and listened to Frightened Rabbit--always love finding a new great band.

If you're ever in the DC area, make sure to look up 9:30 Club and check out a show there.  But be warned--tickets always sell out fast, so you have to always keep an eye out for your favorites of you'll miss them.

The Perfect Shoe

Giuseppe Zanotti Leopard-Print & Suede Cap-Toe Pump

How amazing are these pumps?  I mean, I am pretty much salivating while staring at them and writing this post.  Leopard and cobalt blue?  Perfection.  The price tag, however, makes me want to cry.  I can't even imagine spending that much money on a pair of shoes, even shoes this beautiful.  Okay, so maybe I can IMAGINE doing so...a girl can dream, right? 

p.s., My birthday is coming up in December if anyone wants to spoil me--I'll take these in a 6 1/2 pretty please!

Weekend Wrap-up

I had all sorts of great plans for this past weekend--getting back to the gym finally, dinner and drinks for my BFF's birthday, maybe spending some time outdoors enjoying the beautiful Fall weather, and the Pearl Jam concert on Sunday night--but of course, the stomach bug came to visit Thursday night and overstayed his visit.  Ugh.  Still a bit queasy this morning, but so far I've been able to eat and be okay, so fingers crossed I'm on the mend.  A weekend ruined by the stomach bug--totally for the birds!

Planning for South America!

 

After years of talking about taking a trip abroad, my friend and I decided last night to take the plunge!  We threw out our top spots (too funny, they were all randomly the same), but after some careful consideration have decided that in about a year from now, we will be celebrating our almost 35-years of life in South America! 

I am beyond stoked, and although we still have a lot of planning ahead of us, think we have narrowed down our trip to three spots--Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

If you have ever been to any of these amazing places and have travel advice, please let me know.  In the meantime, here's a little something for me to look forward to!

For Sale

I just upgraded to an iPhone 5, so my almost new iPhone 4 cover that I love is for sale!  I paid $32 plus shipping for this gorgeous Blair Ritchey black & white genuine snakeskin case, but am willing to part with it for $20.  It snaps on easy and docks on any sound system without having to take off the case (unlike my last Kate Spade case, which was super annoying).  I love this case so much, I bought it again in the 5 size!

Please let me know if you're interested and I'll send it your way!

Allegiant is Here!

So, we've already established that I'm a bit of a nerd, right?  Well, if not, let me make that perfectly clear right now.  Allegiant, the third and final book of Veronica Roth's Divergent series, came out yesterday, and of course I raced to Target to pick up my copy!  If you haven't picked up the Divergent series yet, I highly recommend it.  It has similar themes to Hunger Games, and is just as addictive.  And if you're not as much of a book nerd as I am, no worries--the first movie is coming out in March 2014 and the trailer has got me super excited!



I mean, right?!?!  It is going to be AH-MAZING!  Killer cast (I love Shailene Woodley), and how about that hunky Theo James as the male lead?  Swoon!  If you need my nose in the next 24-48 hours, you know where to find it--buried deep in this book.  Have to sign off and start reading!

Halloween DIY on a Budget

Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays.  And typically, I mean business when it comes to my Halloween costume.  But this year, I need to save my pennies and have a very low budget Halloween, which means shopping my closet and getting creative.  I had the perfect costume figured out and ready to go for about a month now, but realized that I would have to purchase almost every piece to this genius idea (of course I won't tell, might save it for next year!), and now I'm back to square one.

So after a frantic DIY Halloween costume Google search last night, I've come up with a few cute and easy alternatives that I think are still me-worthy.  I have two parties to dress up for, so may have to choose two of the options below:

1. Olympic Gymnast--Yoga pants, grey warm-up jacket, hair slicked back in a bun...all I need is yellow roses, a US Olympic badge to put on my grey jacket and a gold medal and I'm good to go.  Yeah, so I don't have the body for it...does that really matter?

2.  Scarecrow--I have the floppy straw hat, the flannel shirt, the jeans (or cutoffs), the cowboy boots...just need to get some straw and costume makeup, and I'll be set.

3.  Toddlers & Tiaras--This costume has actually been on my reserve list for a few years now, and it might just be time to finally call it up.  Just need a tiara, pacifier, tutu and make a glittery sash.  Might be better as a group costume though.  We shall see.

4.  Wonder Woman--One of my favorite characters ever!  I've seen a few different variations of this DIY costume, all great, but this one below looks comfortable and easy.  Just need to get some red tube socks, tutu, WW logo for my shirt and make the tiara.  Easy and adorable

Decisions, decisions...what do you think?

Sneak Preview...

 

Here's a sneak preview of my new rug...I am in love!  Unfortunately, there seemed to be a mix up in my order, so only one has arrived, but I hope to have the other in by the beginning of next week so I can finally get my living room put together.  I already have a laundry list of a few more things I need to complete my new living room look.  Two new side tables (currently have $9 scratched IKEA tables), a floor lamp, and a woven basket (for my PT equipment that is such an eye sore lying in a corner right now) are at the top of my list.  Luckily, I have found a few great items that won't break my non-existent budget. 

I love these three accent tables below, all from Target.  Although the top one is my favorite, I'm thinking I may need to stick with the square shape to fit all my side table staples on it.  I also refuse to pay full price on almost anything, so may have to wait and see which one goes on sale before I decide.

Metal and Glass Accent Table

Threshold Mirrored Modern Accent Table

Nate Berkus Accent Table

For a floor lamp, I am really loving this one from West Elm.  The black & brass fits perfectly with my accents, and the shape will fit nicely above my one reading chair.  The lack of lighting in my condo is really ridiculous, and have been living in a too dark space for way too long.  This one is definitely needed...just waiting for a sale on it!

Finally, I am really loving the woven baskets that have been all the rage lately.  This metallic one from West Elm is really nice, but I also love this one from the Nate Berkus Target collection.  Not sure if it would be sturdy enough though.  This set of two from Ballard Designs is great too!  My favorite is this one below from Pottery Barn, but I really don't want to spend that much money on it.  Tempting, though, but I know I can find a much cheaper version of it somewhere...so the hunt continues!

Let me know what you think!  So ready to have this project completed, and hopefully just in time to start decorating for the holidays!

Domino is Back!

I know, I'm about a week behind the times on this one, but I FINALLY picked up a copy of the newly released Domino Magazine, and I must say, this girl is so happy to have it back in print.  I will say that the $11.99 price tag took me a bit by surprise, but for all that gorgeous eye candy once a season, I think it is an indulgence I can allow. 

The new concept is pretty interesting--allowing for items featured in the magazine to be purchased directly off of their website.  I really hope that this business model works for them and that they can sustain publications, because there is honestly nothing out there that matches the creative and refreshing design ideas at reasonable prices.  There was so much to love about this issue (and I notices many different versions of my new rug throughout)!

Currently Craving: Tory Burch Sammy Messenger

Tory Burch Sammy Messenger

My love for Tory Burch is undeniable, and although I have been a bit disappointed recently in the quality of a few purchases (and have a letter of complaint at the top of my to-do list), her designs are absolutely some of my very favorite from season to season.  And did you hear that there is a new Tory Burch store coming to Georgetown?  It will be a concept store for accessories only and scheduled to open next month.  Super excited! 

Anyway--Once again, she knocked it this fall with the Sammy Messenger.  Grey leather and gold detailing?  Yes, please!  This is now at the very top of my wish list.  Oh, if I only was a trust fund baby...

Moroccan Shag

Tuscan Moroccan Shag Ivory Rug

I have been searching and searching for a new rug to replace the coffee/tea/red wine/grass stained carpet that I currently have down in my living room.  Considering that it was left over from the previous owner, and therefore over 15 years old, I think it was in pretty good shape, but the recent stains that cannot be removed, even professionally, are just too much of an eyesore for me to take much longer.  So after much consideration and some serious sale stalking, I've finally made my purchase!

Since my living room is very large, and the majority of my floors must be covered with rugs (condo rules), I decided to purchase two 8x10s, and put them together with a larger rug pad underneath.  Fingers crossed that the diamonds match up pretty closely.  I absolutely love them, and hoping that they are just as fabulous in my living room as they are on my computer screen.  I promise for an update picture when I get them down in my house.  Now I have about a dozen other ideas for what needs to be replaced in my home, but first these babies need to get paid off.  But hey, with 65% off sale at rugsusa.com (Promo code: COL65), I just couldn't pass them up any longer.

What do you think?  I am in love.

I Am Malala

Exactly one year ago yesterday, then 14-year old Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban in her home of Pakistan, because she was vocal in advocating for education for girls like herself.  On Monday night, I watched this amazing girl give a heartfelt, passionate and incredibly intelligent interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.  Her bravery and unwavering commitment to her cause is incredibly inspiring, and I am so looking forward to reading her newly released book, I Am Malala.  Show your support for Malala and her work by donating to www.malalafund.org.  And if you'd like to watch her interview in full, the links are below.

Packing for the End of the World

Two weeks ago, I was put to task for a work project that brought up some serious deep thoughts--if I had one bag to pack away whatever I would need for a emergency relocation event, what would I pack?  Obviously, I crossed off all of my high maintenance, girly "necessities".  Do I really need to make sure I have my Clarisonic with me if disaster happens?  Is it essential that my face lotion is my beloved Murad Essential C? My Sonicare toothbrush?  My T3 hairdryer?  No, no I don't.  And yes, I know.  Some may say I'm a beauty product obsessed.  I prefer to say I'm seasoned, know what I like and know what works for me.

Silly as it may seem, I really struggled with this for weeks.  I mean, if disaster really were to strike and I was shipped off, safe but away from whatever disaster may have occurred, what would be of comfort to me?  Would it be enough to be safe and away, or would I really want some things packed away to give me a bit of comfort in unimaginable circumstances?

My answers: yes, and yes.  I made sure that I packed slippers and some of my comfy clothes.  And thanks to Birchbox, I packed a ton of beauty samples--serums and lotions and products that make me feel both good.  Comforting to me. Also, I made sure to pack workout clothes and running shoes...not much is better to de-stress me than a great workout.

I turned it in, assured of my choices, but now I am thinking about more and more that I should have added.  Assuming that I would have my purse with me, I knew that I would have access to photos of loved ones in my iPhone and iPad, so I didn't pack any.  But what if I don't?  Should I stash a few pics of family and friends, just in case they are the last I have of them?  And my pillow that I have had forever--I should find one just like it to throw in there.  I'm always cold--definitely should have tossed in a soft scarf and a blanket.  And damn it, I forgot to pack dental floss too.  Must add that next time.

The more I think about this, the more I add and subtract all the things in my stowaway bag.  Let's hope it never comes to the day in which I need it.  I know there will never be a perfect list of must haves, but I am glad that I put thought into it and did pretty well on my first try.

What would you pack if it was the last bag you may ever pack?  Any essentials that you couldn't live without, no matter what the circumstances?

Weekend Wrap-Up

So the government is still shut down.  And I worked most of the weekend.  And then on Sunday, I went to Red Door to see Antonio.  An hour and a half later, I left a changed woman.  It's amazing what a massage can do for this girl.  Ah, relaxation at its best and just what I needed to start off what is for sure to be another tough week--starting with jury duty on Monday.  Just inched off of jury selection that would have been for a two week trial.  Thank God.  Maybe this week won't be quite so bad after all!

Anywhere But Here...

 

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  With the whole government shutdown and crazy work scramble, I have been a bit distracted, and honestly, uninspired and exhausted.  I am one of the lucky ones who is not furloughed during this whole mess, but frustrated nonetheless at the state of affairs.  I'll try to be better, I promise.  Maybe I need a quick getaway once all of this is said and done and I get a paycheck again.  Paris, anyone?