a good magazine.

I have come to a conclusion: nothing beats reading & holding a great, well designed, inspiring magazine....the texture of the smooth pages, the vibrant aesthetics and colors, the beautifully photographed images, the actual ripping of the paper for my tear files, or even the smell of the chemicals used to publish the {aforementioned} periodical.

Don't get me wrong, I love the blogosphere. I love the inspiration & images you can save, tag, and "file" from the internet. I love the interaction & encouragement you receive from other fellow community bloggers... but its just not the same. Its not the same as sitting down in your own little world, dreaming about the images that one day you hope to make a reality. To sum up: Print just has a sensibility that cannot be recreated.

With all of the recent publishings folding ,{Domino, Blueprint, Gourmet, Cookie} it makes me sad and forces me to wonder if this is just the beginning? I get my fair share of magazines, {in my husbands opinion, way to many,} but it makes me a bit sad to think that one day, I might not have the opportunity or anticipation of running to the mailbox to see what arrived for me to peruse that day.

Someone said, {and I wish I could remember who} that you do not have the sense of "finishing" the internet like you can a good book or magazine. It is such a great feeling exhausting a magazine, tearing everything you want out of it, and filing it in its appropriate place. The internet is overwhelming and well, endless. The internet also poses the issue of credibility and truth? While this is not an internet bashing post, {clearly, I do heart the fashion & design blog world} I hope and pray we are not seeing the closing days of cold, hard, print media.

Thank you for you time. I am fully aware these are very, for lack of better words, un-deep thoughts, but hey, its my blog, right? :)

ciao bella.

the crew, yet again, and again.

Why J Crew, why? I have an abnormal, unhealthy obsession with you, and just when I think I have figured you out, you go and do something even better & more beautiful. It is bad for my materialism and wallet. Please do not stop though, just maybe slow down a touch.

oh martha, martha, martha.

Who knew Martha Stewart modeled in the late 1960's? These particular shots are from Glamour mag... I love discovering & observing the unexpected, new side of people. I wish we would embrace it in ourselves more often.... to step out of the box, embrace a new persona, shake things up, try new things, reinvent ourselves. Go on. I dare you.

via here. then here.

cook time.

One of my favorite memories is cooking with my mom in the kitchen. I had a little mini kitchen in her big girl kitchen and I would try to cook right along side her. Typically, she would give me flour and water and I make a doughy, pastey, mess... but I loved it. I can't wait to put a mini kitchen one day right alongside my stovetop for my kids when I cook dinner. How cute are these kitchens...? I mean, there is even a miniture island with a pot rack.

Via Pottery Barn

BU HC 09.

This weekend is BU's 100th Homecoming! Baylor Homecoming really is like no other... to me and many others, Baylor is the best kept secret in the country and the holds some of my best and fondest memories. Its not the prayer & pep rally at the Bonfire, the hours dedicated to Pigskin, the overwhelming time and energy put into floats {at the largest HC parade in the nation, I might add.} Its going to CG and getting a cowboy, eating fried pickles & a big O at Georges, walking through our beautiful campus {that without fail, has new fresh, flowers everywhere}, driving by our old run down houses, scrounging around at Laverty's, and most importantly, seeing people you loved & lived with for 4 of the most formative years of your life. {W'ell miss you Sara(h)'s & LKA.} Sic 'em. I. can. not. wait.

the crew, again. {sigh}

My dear friend, Ms. Stroupe, who shares a love for J.crew's styling with me, sent me a link to this post about J.Crew's spring/summer collection. I am dying... dying a slow death and drooling over my computer. Of course, the clothes are fabulous, but its most defiantly Jenna's styling that makes them phen-om-enal. Lots of sequins, color, and layering and yet still keeping the look oh-so-feminine. Ok, now attempting to proceed and to try to continue with the rest of my day. Thank you SSS. xo.

for lack of...

In my opinion, this is one of the most cleverly written and executed shows on television right now. If you have not gotten a chance to sneak it in, give it a try... I hope you won't regret it. I find myself laughing out loud & re-quoting the episode later throughout the day. The script writers smack-dab nailed our humorous culture with this show, while still leaving you with a sentimental feeling in the end. I am going to venture to say this is my new fav...

Please excuse this very dull post, right now I feel creatively spent and overly stimulated in the inspiration area due to work. So for now, a prime time television recommendation is about all I got to give... but boy, it sure is good. Anyone else watch this? enjoy!

two videos for your mid- week pleasure.

Loving these two videos... esp. Hannah's prayer. Preach it Hannah, preach it.

Grocery Store video from ImprovEverywhere.

I know, I know, more Jackie O.

This picture of Jackie O. makes me swoon... there is not an image yet that I do not love. To me, she is the epitome of class, style, and femininity... she absolutely radiates confidence. { image from here }

Vanity Fair just did a beautiful retrospective of Penelope Cruise, now why she is no Jackie O., she comes pretty darn close to her timeless, sophisticated, chic style. She's probably one of my favorites to see photographed... she owns what she wears and wears it well. I would love to meet her sometime...

irregular flow from 4khz on Vimeo.

Love 4khz's videos... they are so soothing and serene, not to mention creative. Check out his other work above.

photo love.

I completely ripped off & copied Max Wanger's photo editing techniques, but what he does to his pictures is just absolutely, positively awesome. {esp. his blog titles for shoots.}

Happy weekend, its gonna be a pretty one!

I want candy.

Candy becomes an unexpected muse for creating this cool photo shoot...bright, energetic colors & stunning backlit detail. Uber creative. {I think the jolly rancher one is my favorite.} More work from Chris Plavidal here.

boo boo.

I am a sucker for creative, graphic packaging. I really would pay extra for these... and yes, I do realize that is sad when Johnson & Johnson's are perfectly acceptable.

{read the small print... so genius.}

source unknown.

pumpkin butter.

We made this last night to smother on a loaf bread... and it paired very nicely with with a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. It was the perfect meal for a cold rainy night. Follow it up with waaay too much candy corn, and it will finally feel like fall.

Ingredients
4 cups Pumpkin Puree, or two 15-oz. cans pumpkin
1-1/4 cups pure maple syrup
1/2 cup apple juice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
Chopped hazelnuts (optional)
Directions
1. In 5-quart Dutch oven combine all ingredients except nuts. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, 25 minutes or until thick. (If mixture spatters, reduce heat to medium-low). Remove from heat; cool.
2. Ladle into jars or freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Cover; store in refrigerator up to 1 week or freezer up to 6 months.
3. To serve, top with chopped nuts. Makes 4-1/2 cups (36, two- tablespoon servings)

enjoy!

snuggly.

How snuggly and chic is this litte scarf? I might be adding it to my "things to learn how to knit" file... or maybe just my Christmas wish list. :)
from etsy.

proud of the big D.

Dallas is not short on some amazing buildings, but these... I still look at the Wyly almost daily & think “This is in Dallas?” The Winspear’s rich red curved glass is breathtaking.

This morning a Dedication Ceremony kicks off a week long celebration of the Center’s Grand Opening which will wrap up at the end of the week with the last big gala all throughout the Center (ACT III) and a full day of public festivities on Sunday. Look at the schedule here...there are architectural forums and the David Sanborn concert on Friday and anything on Sunday looks free and fun! CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE HERE.

Happy days in Dallas.... If only this rain would stop. :)

i train it.

fact: I ride the train to work.

{above is my location of work 9 hours of the day & my mode of transportation.}

Now I know say in NY or Chicago, this is not an odd occurrence, but here in Dallas, most people drive to work.

My DART train experience over the past year has been rather interesting... I go through phases of loving it & loathing it.

Typically I hop on, most normally out of breath from sprinting to catch it, find an empty seat or wait for one to open up, sit down, mind my own business by: reading, doing my makeup, munching on breakfast, listening to my ipod, and chatting via phone with my mom.

I like to people watch on my trips, as well, but this morning I took the time to look around & really observe people's details...

People are in their own worlds, sometimes with curlers in their hair, or working on a case, or be-bopping to some jams. Sometimes they are ranting on the phone, or peddling for money, or knitting a scarf. Sometimes they are into a good novel, or are singing out loud, and or just want someone to talk to & you happen to be the soul that they chose. { I love people's details - my friends can attest to this.}

I think what I love about the train is that it levels the playing field. People are all trying to get to a destination, make a buck, and get home. Everyone has their own agenda, their own responsibilities, their own life... but for those 24 minutes, everyone is alike & we are all just waiting to get to our destination.

From the CEO's to the beggars, everyone is just trying to do life.

I think this is the way the Lord sees us, we are all attempting to do life in our own way, with our own agenda... and drowning. No matter our status, resources, or position, there is not much you can do but sit still, not fight, and wait. Just sit and wait. Wait on his timing, wait on his plan, wait on his will.

So no matter what I try, His plan will prevail. I will sink when I try to swim. I just need to float & wait & know He is sovereign.

so yes, I used a analogy of the public transportation system and the Lord's timing. Made sense to me... maybe I just hadn't had my morning cup of coffee, but I thought I would share, nonetheless. :)

{for you Sarah.}

He may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition. ~George Macdonald

diy.

You can make this awesome bunting- roller stamp.... all you need is a steam roller, Xacto knife, rubber band, and a ruler. I found this on this blog and thought it needed sharing... follow Cathe's tutorial & you have a new, fun little tool.
Have fun & enjoy!