and the award...

...for fiercest magazine cover goes to.... the ridiculously good looking cast of Mad Men. This show was definitely deserving of it's recent Best Drama Emmy award. Best show on television, by far.

Rolling Stone cover by Robert Trachtenberg

4.16

It has been three years now and I still tear up when I revisit the memories of April 16th. I will always be proud of the immense spirit that bonds the Hokie community together, and be moved by the world's heartfelt embrace of Virginia Tech in grieving with us over such a tragic loss.

In remembrance of the 32....

image

easter

I didn't dye Easter eggs or get an Easter basket this year, and I hardly ate one Peep. But we were blessed with a gorgeous, bright and sunny spring day, had a wonderful church service and delicious lunch, and enjoyed spending the day outside and at rest. I would say this Easter has been one of the best.

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed :)

Happy Easter!

image via bhg

top o' the mornin'

Happy St. Patty's Day :)

image via here

go USA

So I blame the Olympics for why I haven't been blogging. Has anyone else been watching it all?I've been taping the broadcasts throughout the day and then come home from work and get drawn in to watching the hours of coverage (fact: the Olympics are way better to watch when you can fast forward through all the commercials and replays). All this skating and skiing has really been distracting! There have been a lot of great moments so far...

photos via NBC

masterpiece classic

I don't know how popular watching PBS on the weekend is, but did anyone else watch Emma on Masterpiece Classic? It's pure Jane Austen perfection!

you can watch it online here

images via pbs

Hello all...

I'm back to the blog! I blinked and all of a sudden it's two and a half weeks later... Where have I been? Let's just say I clocked in a lot of overtime at work the past couple of weeks. It seems like all I've been doing is working (which I have) and everything else has gone to the wayside, leaving me feeling completely disconnected, tired, and frazzled... thank goodness I'm back to normal life now!

The good news is, that somehow in the midst of the work chaos this whole month, we've actually made some progress with the wedding planning! We booked our DJ, met with photographers, scouted rehearsal dinner locations, and talked with caterers. Oh, and we also got news of our awesome transportation...

...it's good to be back. :)

image from here

December what?

Ya'll! Where has the time gone?

Is Christmas really next week? Like, next Friday? I feel so behind. Behind in my Christmas shopping. Behind in my blog posting. Behind in life!

About a month ago, I moved and started a new job working for a Government contractor. It's a great job, but unfortunately I don't have access to gmail, blogger, facebook... nothing! I feel so disconnected from the world all day, and then after getting home, I'm finding it hard to dedicate time to blogging and keeping up with things on the computer.

That will probably be my New Years Resolution: to find a balance!

I hope to have Christmas shopping done this weekend, to have some consistent blog posts scheduled for next week, and to just relax and enjoy the spirit of the season and!

image via BHG

interim

I've had to step away from my computer for a few days... I'll be starting a new job and am in the process of moving again! Once I get settled, it'll be back to regularly scheduled postings :)

Ivanka

My (rather flamboyant) hairdresser once told me that I looked like Ivanka Trump.... "really? um... thanks!?" I didn't believe him. I wish I was as glamorously beautiful as she is! I randomly stumbled across her website the other day and was surprised to find she has a very pretty fine jewelry collection.

Not only does she photograph amazingly well, but she also writes a blog, and has a new book out. And she's a Vice President of the Trump Organization. And she's getting married soon...

images from Ivanka Trump Collection

surprise

Okay, so I've totally slacked on the posting again... BUT, I have a good excuse.

I went back home for the weekend and got a little gift.

I got engaged! Hunter surprised me with a sweet ring and then surprised me even more by setting up a surprise dinner celebration with our families and friends. I've never been more shocked in my life!

I'm still coming down from the high of excitement and shock. But let the planning begin! :)

mulling

I've been searching all over, to no avail, for this specific gem:

R.W. Knudsen Organic Mulling Spices. Delicious mulling spices in the convenient form of a tea bag. Just steep in hot apple cider/juice and you've got a cup of yummy autumn goodness. I first tried these last year but have since run out and can't seem to find them anywhere!

Until I can get my hands on a box, I've been seeking out other mulled cider recipes. Martha has a bunch here. I'm also eager to try out this Vin Chaud recipe from the wonderful Little Brown Pen.

top image from Knudsen, second image from Martha Stewart

home sweet home

I'm home from a weekend of traveling, weddings, and visiting family and friends. Now it's back to work, work, work! I've been working a lot lately, and I'm afraid my blogging has suffered. I'm trying to get better... :)

This isn't much of a post, but I just wanted to share my new favorite candle scent. Home Sweet Home from Yankee Candle.... Hunter gave it to my mom for their new house, and I was smelling it all weekend!

stream of consciousness

A few random things to wrap up the week:

1. It's September! In my perspective that means Fall has begun--so long summer!

2. Pumpkin Spice Lattes have made their glorious return to Starbucks!

3. I'm heading out of town for a wedding and to spend the long weekend with my family. I'm excited to see my parents new house!

4. Lately I've been listening to Debussy's Clair de Lune as well as Song of India (the Mad Men version). They're beautiful songs and it's made working on the computer a lot more pleasant.

5. I recently made these two recipes from Barefoot Contessa for dinner and they. were. delicious! Ina Garten is making me a better cook.

-Parmesan Chicken

-Herb Roasted Onions

6. College football is back! Tech takes on Alabama this Saturday in Atlanta--Let's Go Hokies!

Everyone have a long and lovely Labor Day weekend!

photo via This is Glamorous

picturesque

Europe just amazes me--so many breathtaking scenic views. Whenever I need a little Europe fix, I go here and look through the pictures.

all photos from National Geographic Traveler

awaiting autumn

I'm not gonna lie, I'm ready for summer to end and fall to get here. I'm ready for crisp, cool weather, vibrant changing leaves and sweatshirts. Boots and blazers. College football. Scarves and Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes.

I LOVE the Pumpkin Spice Lattes...

picture by Roland Bello via here

mini vacay

Hunter and I are celebrating our anniversary by taking a day trip to visit the Biltmore. I couldn't be more excited as I've been looking forward to going for so long! Before we go to Asheville though, my weekend starts today when I head out of town to visit family & friends. It's a weekend of mini trips. 

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

photo via This Is Glamorous

more madness

I just can't get enough of Mad Men... I watched three episodes last night, and then browse around on the computer this morning to find this photo shoot and article in Vanity Fair, shot by Annie Leibovitz. 

photos by Annie Leibovitz from Vanity Fair

Happy Weekend

Between freelancing and working at J.Crew, things have been a little crazy lately so I'm just going to sign off for the weekend with a pretty little picture....

...and more bold stripes!

Enjoy the weekend!

image via Truly Smitten

Animation Backgrounds

I just revisited my childhood by browsing through this blog, Animation Backgrounds. I stumbled across it while reading through Ministry of Type and got hooked! I love old, 2D animation and seeing all these images made me want to watch every Disney movie and cartoon over again.

all images from Animation Backgrounds