{things i love} currently

i've been obsessed with all things watercolor{esque} lately.  i think this teardrop print by dear catherina is so beautiful and of course chelsea petaja's work is always impeccable.  and i'm not a huge t-shirt girl unless i'm at home, but i love a good clever tee like these nerdy ones from the unrefinery...crop it like it's hot, y'all.  LEIF never fails to have some gorgeous pieces, but this ring is one of my all-time favorites.  what do you love today?

teardrops fine art print by dear catherina

'crop it like it's hot' tee from the unrefinery

gem slice ring ({moky topaz} from LEIF

thank you card by oh my deer

all photos from respective retailers

{currently} things I love

Here's a combination of some of my favorite current trends: high-low dresses, gold-lined stationery, nautical themes, pops of neon and simple stripes.  Like the classy black dress, but want a pop of color?  Here's another dress offered in burnt orange or blue.  Happy shopping!

one / two / three / four / five

The Hunger Games

For the last time, it is not a game about being hungry.  I like this tweet posted by TexasHumor, "We've got Hunger Games in Texas. It's called fightin' to be at the front of the buffet line."  So what, I don't live in Texas anymore, but Texas lives in me - ha ha.  I know, I'm hilarious...

Anyway, I know The Hunger Games is all over everything, but I just have to say that this is one of those books you have to read - guy or girl.  It's a really good read (though I haven't finished all 3 books yet), and it's a great story about sacrifice, strategy and courage.  There's a lot of hype about this movie, and (perhaps unfortunately) my expectations keep getting higher every time I watch one of these videos.  I'm not going to add any of my own speculations about it, but if you don't know what it's about yet, I suggest you watch this trailer.

{currently}

Happy weekend, everyone!  It's been quite the week for me so far, and a working weekend for me as well.  This post will be mainly a smorgasbord of my random thoughts from the week - let's go!

one)  I'm in serious need of getting my nails did.  The winter weather has done them over, and they are starting to get brittle.  Recently I've become a big fan of butter london nail lacquers.  I used to never get my nails done, but it's definitely a treat I could get used to having more often. {pictured below: the full monty // yummy mummy}

 

two)  The weather here is get fuh-reezing!  We had our first snow!  And I know it's just getting started.

currently

It's a bit overcast today, but I'm here again at Northside Social with my chai latte. The past few days have been particularly eventful. My hands are a bit worn from dealing with thorns and floral tape at Holly Chapple's floral shop, my feet a bit sore from running around the beautiful grounds of Airlie from this weekend's wedding. This week ended well as I hit some major milestones like watching Bad Boys II and The Matrix for the first time (yes, yes, I know...cue jaws dropping). And though I'm not the biggest sports fanatic, Texas pride definitely runs in my blood. Go Cowboys! What else is new?

"texas love" by rooted in paper

all about autumn

original image by vicki grafton photography, flowers by holly chapple

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend! I know it's a bit early to be talking about autumn, but the weather in northern Virginia is definitely getting there.

currently {eyeing}

Ever since I found out I was moving, I've been eyeing these wood-handled address stamps by notetrunk. I've always wanted one of my own and unfortunately most of my favorites all have ampersands, which aren't currently applicable to my life - haha. Anyway, just thought I'd share a few that I like:

currently {reading}

I realize that e-books are sweeping the nation, but if given the choice I think I'd still pick a good 'ol paper/hardback book to an electronic one. There's something about flipping through the pages, holding that tree in your hands that I wouldn't trade for a piece of fancy plastic.

One of my goals in life is to read all the books I own. This is a huge challenge considering how many books I accumulate over the year, but I love to read. Sadly, there's been a drought in my reading life these past few years, but having a window nook and a porch swing now definitely helps.

  

I'm currently reading A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers (also author of Redeeming Love), a birthday gift courtesy of my new housemates -- thanks, girls! Rivers retells the powerful stories of 5 women in the Bible: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba & Mary in her own words. Each woman's story is so deep & there is so much to unpack; I've only finished Tamar.

For more leisurely reading, it's been Sisterhood Everlasting by Anne Brashares. Since the beginning of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, I've been hooked. If you've passed judgment solely based on the movies, tisk tisk. This book takes place following the girls 10 years later and it is intense. If you've read the previous books, definitely pick this one up.

Here's another book I'm itching to get. I know the movie just came out for The Help (no spoilers, please!), but I really want to read the book first. Has anyone read it?

On another note, it's been a very slow Monday.

music monday

one of these days i'll be broke from purchasing music.

especially these next two weeks, there are so many great albums releasing that i'm excited about.

release date: march 15

matt wertz. definitely feel-good acoustic pop. the kind you drive to with your windows down. you can listen to almost all his new tracks on itunes ping. take a listen & check out his website for tour dates!

**i'll be at his concert in houston helping at the merch table with the mocha club!

[favorite tracks: everything's right, 5:19, with you, tonight]

*anticipated tracks: someone like you, easier tonight, don't come easy

release date: march 22

i love, love, love shawn mcdonald, but am a firm believer that these songs of crying out and redemption don't come easily. his story is incredible, and thus produces such. listen to the title track "closer" streaming on his website.

[favorite tracks: take my life, captivated, simply nothing, gravity]

*anticipated tracks: closer (haven't heard any others yet)

release date: march 22

since summer '08 i've been hooked on tim be told's unique smorgasbord of music styles & downright honest lyrics. this album addresses a wide range of issues from doubting God and his goodness to  relationship struggles to human trafficking. check out my earlier post about their music and pre-order.

[favorite tracks: turning, perfect, all of me, analyze, third wheel]

*anticipated tracks: miscommunication, humanity, lament, compose me...if i'm being honest, all of them

any other new releases slash artist suggestions i should know about?