Best in Bow: Bow Detail

 

xx

New York City: October 22, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

"A ship in harbor is safe,

but that's not why ships are built."

xx

A Day in New York

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

xx

And I know some shit's so hard to swallow
But I can't just sit back and wallow in my own sorrow 

But I know one fact
I'll be one tough act to follow

One tough act to follow
I'll be one tough act to follow
Here today, gone tomorrow
 

But you'd have to walk a thousand miles
In my shoes, just to see
What it's like to be me

My Hair History

 

 

I feel like I've been constantly changing up my hair recently, so I thought it might be fun to show the progression over the past year and a half. I've gone from long and straight (with outdated bangs) to mid-length golden waves to dark. Going from a solid, boring hairstyle, I was definitely eager to switch it up. Can't say I always get it right, but I love playing around with different looks. Will I ever have the courage to go short? Probably not, but I never thought I'd get rid of bangs, either. ;)

Music Monday (er, Tuesday)

Yesterday was a crazy, stressful day for my family and I didn't get a chance to post this new workout playlist of mine. I've managed to fit in a run everyday for the past six days... not so sure how I'd be handling things without these workouts. Exhausted in every possible way, but thankful I have something that can bring at least a little peace.

Drake - Headlines from dj aik on Vimeo.

Drake's also been on heavy repeat, especially on my commutes into work. Like the gritty urban filmography of this video, reminds me of the feel of my Abandoned Detroit series.

Have a bunch of products I've been meaning to review, especially since I just dyed my hair back to its natural dark, dark brown and have been switching my look up a bit. Promise to get some of of those up asap, along with a YT video as well. Thanks for being patient.

xx

Work It Out

 

Ohhhh, how I've missed my regular runs. Did my old standby of six miles tonight, and was reminded why I was addicted to it before. I don't care how early I have to get up, or if I have to run after an 8 hour work day... I just need to make time for it. I get so much clarity and strength from just throwing on those old Nikes. Louboutins are pretty and NARS makes a killer bronzer, but neither can compare with the stride and glow I get from running. No more half-assing.

Harder, better, faster, stronger.

xx

Music Mondays

Foster The People "I Would Do Anything For You"

Love this song. So catchy and upbeat. Can't get enough of Foster The People.

Never wanna get in the way, I said it
I don’t know what the plan is,
But you can share with me, 

‘cause I’ll be listening here,
To everything you say, I won’t turn away
And I will listen, open up my heart

xx

The Beauty of Autumn

 

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.

xx

Time to Cozy Up

Though it's exceptionally warm here this weekend (almost 80... I'm breaking out a dress, thankyouverymuch), chilly fall weather is certain to be returning shortly. Though I've never been able to bring myself to like autumn, I love the loungey-ness of the season. Who doesn't love cozying in with comfy clothes, lots of candles, chunky cableknit blankets and a good movie?

That pretty much sums up my relationship with fall. I'll appreciate the pretty colors of the leaves for the next few weeks, and I'll love wearing boots and jackets. But once Halloween hits, I'll be back to daydreaming about a vacation filled with sun, sand and a great tan. I just can't win. ;)

xx

Rest in Peace, Mr. Jobs

"Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward;
you can only connect them looking backwards.
So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.
You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.
This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."



“.. almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - 
these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” -Steve Jobs

What I'm Loving Now

 Christian Louboutin's Vicky Suede Ankle Boots

Black. Louboutin. Suede. Chunky Heel. What else is there to say? In the words of Zoe, "I die."

(Available at Saks)

Kenneth Jay Lane's Turquoise Spike Necklace

I can totally see this with a white cotton tee, distressed jeans, and my favorite nude-colored Italian J. Crew sandals. It's pretty and yet edgy, and would add a little something extra to all of my basics.

(Available at Revolve Clothing)

Kim Kardashian's Belle Noel Mini Dagger Collar Necklace

Love statement pieces, especially since I wear a lot of neutrals (particularly black). 

And we all know how perfectly black and gold compliment each other. Love.

(Available at Revolve Clothing)

Outasight's "Tonight is the Night"

Fell in love with this song on yesterday's morning commute. Feel-good driving at its finest.

Have a great day. Make it count, dolls.

xx

Music Mondays

Empire of the Sun- We are the People

I'll never get enough of Empire of the Sun. Quite possibly my favorite band ever.

Have a great Monday!

xx

Laughing on the Great Earth: My Tattoo Story

  

 A year ago today, I was tattooed for the very first time... something that I still can't believe I actually did, even when I look down at my foot. I'm pretty selective when it comes to pretty much everything, so the fact that I even went through with this says something about its meaning. As I've mentioned before, we lost my mom to cancer when I was a little girl. She loved a poem by Pulitzer-winning poet Gary Snyder, and when she passed away, my dad made sure the final line was engraved on her gravestone. Everything I know about my mom and the way she lived her life is reflected in it: "Laughing on the Great Earth."

From all appearances, I'm not the type of girl that you'd expect would have a tattoo. While I'm creative, I'm definitely more Charlotte York than Kat Von D. ;) Nonetheless, the seed for this tattoo had been planted years ago, but I suddenly got the courage to actually go ahead with it last summer.

I began researching typefaces, and played with placement for about a month. I decided on the lower part of my left foot, choosing a place that was both elegant and inconspicuous. I chose 'English' for the typeface, a classic script that I frequently use in this blog. Both the font and placement were really, really important to me, as I wanted it to be understated and feminine.

I remember being so nervous as I tried to stomach a pre-tattoo brunch with my oldest friend, Meghann. I had heard that the pain was especially rough on the foot, but it didn't matter at that point. My mind was made up. Going to be totally honest here... getting this tattoo wasn't fun. It hurt. A lot. That part of your foot is literally skin and bones, and I definitely remember having the brief impulse of running out with "laughing" on my foot. (Ohhh, the irony in that. haha.)

I had tears in my eyes pretty much the entire time, but I couldn't have been more happy when it was all over. It was beautiful. It was feminine. And it meant so, so much to me.

 

 

With every step I take, I have a reminder of someone that is still very much a part of me,
and who inspired me to live my life to the fullest.

xx