learning little lessons.

a {small} list of a few things i've learned in the last week:
1. lovebird loves pumpkin pie more than i do. i didn't think that was possible.
2. although i wear little of it, i'm obsessed with makeup.
3. my extreme phobia of throwing up, isn't any less when dealing with puppy vomit. bummer.
4. if you're looking to boost your self esteem, don't put on a leotard and tights after a four day weekend of pigging out on mash potatoes, pie and well... basically anything in sight.
5. yellow is a gorgeous fall color and makes me feel spoiled when walking around campus. {picture}
6. i am still capable of staying up past midnight and proved myself this weekend. however, i'll take a bedtime of no later than 10pm any day of the week. i am one who only functions with antiquate sleep.
7. i'm very eager for a change. a big change.
8. the vacuum and i are becoming best friends. thanks to mowgli's ability to shed an insane amount.
9. i have finally learned to accept that my feet will never grow num or callus enough to void out the the pain of pointe shoes. pain is beauty; or at least that's what i'm told.
10. i fall in love over and over again, each and every day. biggest blessing of life.

little list of happiness.

my little list of 'happy's' this week: 

1. sundays spent on the couch, accomplishing nothing but cuddling.
2. dark chocolate has my sweet tooth wrapped around it's little finger right now.
3. the feeling of coming home to a puppy; nothing is better than being greeted by an abundance of puppy kisses when you walk in the door after a long night of rehearsal.
4. mornings that allow me to simply think, reflect and ponder. i crave that silence to start my day off.
5. an unexpected, yet just-what-i needed phone call from 'brother joel'. brothers are one of life's greatest blessings.

go on, what are you waiting for?

tell me what's on your "happy list" this week.

p.s. one last one: i'm happy monday is over.

xoxo

my happy list.

list of my happy things {as of late}... 

1. patterned jeans. 

2. pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

3. the way lovebird talks to our puppy. he's smitten.

4. 3 day visits from my parents- that end up turning into a whole week.

5. brick red lipstick or a simple nude. polar opposites, i'm aware. 

6.  letters from a missionary. 

7. late night talks with lovebird about our future- the unknown.

8. grandma's watches; my favorite kind of vintage.

9. all things puppy: fur, kisses, nap-times and that distinct puppy smell.  

what's on your list? do share.
xoxo

happiness in ten.

then things that make me terribly happy:

{as of right this very moment}

1. signs that fall is soon to arrive; 

cooler weather, pumpkin scents and a few crunchy leaves have fallen.

2. this lipgloss in the shade ample pink . it's my go to color.

3. emails from elder carlson. he melts my heart with his happiness.

4. almond butter on toast. 

5.fall's rich and saturated colors: plum, jade and cobalt.

6. anything aztec. i'm in an indian kick lately.

7. being a red head; it's so different and fun for a change.

8. puppy shopping... i think we may be onto something. ;)

9. teaching my students who practice hard and have a true love for the piano.
it really does make all the difference. 

10. inside joke and names with lovebird. he has me laughing awfully hard lately.

what is on your list of happy things right now?

do tell.  

happy number ten.

ten things that make me happy right now:

1. pureology shampoo and condition. yes, it's expensive... but, so worth it.

2. looking at dog books. slowly but surely, i'm cracking lovebird's will against getting a puppy.

3. birthdays, anniversaries, school and ballet starting... this month is full of all things great. 

4. opi's germany collection for fall. i'm especially loving "don't talk bach to me".

5. summer dinners with lovebird. tasty, simple and oh, so romantic. 

6. my go to earrings: hoops. never can go wrong, i tell you. wouldn't mind adding this pair to the collection.

7. thinking about the {near} future; so many big changes right around the corner. {hurry up!}

8. those little moments when you realize you are so in love. especially, when they hit you unexpectedly. 

9. pretty little liars. i am guilty as charged. 

10. soaking up the last of the summer sun, while anticipating school starting next week. bittersweet. 

necessities.

{source. p.s. don't you just love her!?}

five things i just can't live without:

{at least for now}

1. neutrogena sun screen. the absolute best.

doesn't clog pores, lightly scented and blocks those harmful rays.

what could be better? nothing.

2. salmon. it's my new go to dinner and lunch, for that matter.

lovebird and i have mastered a delicious way of grilling those bad boys-

 thanks to papa carlson for showing us his tricks. 

simply delicious, mouthwatering and irresistible.
3. burt's bee chapstick. {grapefruit flavor, please!}

known fact: i have a secret stash of burt's bee chapstick tucked away at all times.

i'm never without it, literally.

4. bikinis. yes, you heard me correctly.

i've been living in one all summer long; pool day after pool day. 

right now, i have to steer clear of the clearance bathing suits in target,

or else i'd be coming home with armfuls of them. 

5. longchamp bag. i'm convinced every girl needs one.

so practical, fashionable and the perfect size.

don't let it's simplicity fool you. 

one tip: given it's large open pocket, keep things organized inside. lots of little bags! 

go on, tell me something you can't live with out.

at least, for the moment. 

five favorites.

these are a few of my favorite things:

{as of late}

1. diet coke. recently with lime.

2. gladiator shoes in a carmel color. {own and love these.}

3. facetime with lovebird while we're apart. 

4. essie nail polish. any bright color will do. 

{i fluctuate between essie and opi; currently loving essie}

5. matinee movies, manicures, mint green, and mothers. 

summer lovin'

{when in doubt: add blush.}

just a little list of my current obsessions.

summer, obsessions that is:

must have makeup item: blush. i don't go a day without it.  

{currently using and loving this one in "rose lustre" from avon.}

home decor: these anthropologie mugs. 

book: rick steves' travel book for italy, of course. 

beauty product: burt's bees tinted lip balm in honeysuckle. 

{it's on clearance at target right now. run (literally) and get it!}

go-to clothing item: maxi skirt in any and every color.

summer secret: baby sunscreen. it works like a charm.

snack: these delicious pretzels. holy cow- addicting.

color: orange. i'll sport anything orange. 

activity: laying by the pool.  i feel spoiled. 

random facts of summer, but thought i'd jot them down.

i'm curious, what are your summer obsessions?

do share. 

on the go.

hello lovely readers, 

happy thursday.

i'm doing all i can to keep my head above water right now.

the word busy is an understatement.

that being said, busy is a good thing.

it keeps me on my toes.

{quite literally.}

i have just enough time to make a list of a few things

i'm simply loving at the moment:

1. i adore this hair color. so rich and beautiful.

i'm thinking this will be the picture i take into my next hair appointment.

2. i love catching myself in a moment of happiness. 

{one that makes me stop and smile to myself.}

right now, i catch myself in those moments when i'm day dreaming;

day dreaming about the adventures and mini trips lovebird and i will soon go on.

3. if i could be a wedding dress model,

i would beg to wear this one. 

simply put, i'm smitten by the bow. 

4.hearing my little brother's voice on the phone this week was amazing.

it's only been two months, but boy do i miss him.

hearing his laugh on monday will get me through the next 88 mondays.

5. i'm a ballerina, it's no wonder i love:

these cute colors, this leotard, and this hair tutorial.

i hope you are having a busy yet fantastic week.

the first week of may deserves a little celebration every day. 

i'm on the go as usual,

but i hope to sit and stay awhile next week.

{i'm counting down the days}

xoxo

ten happy things:

the little things that make life beautiful {as of late}:

1. holidays that insist on me wearing my favorite color: green.

2. cadburry eggs and girl scout cookies.

3. homemade banana bread with whole wheat flour. yum.

4.  getting a little package in the mail from little brother:

{a t-shirt with the mexican flag. too cute and funny. oh, and something for my smash book too}

5. watching downton abbey with lovebird. [every night.]

we are a bit addicted.

it's apparent we are quite connected to the characters:

we both looked over at each other with tears in our eyes after a death in the episode.

6. washing my face with the {trendy} mia. 

there's a reason it is trendy: it works wonders. 

7. the saying "brunettes have more fun".

it's fun being on the dark side for once. pun intended.  

8. the lovely peter pan collar.

i think it is so feminine and classy.

{i love this, this and this one. i want them all.}

9. wearing my hunter boots like they're going out of style.

thank you, rain.

10. warm weather for the mere purpose of not having cracked/dry hands.

you have no idea what my poor hands have looked like.

this is a true blessing. 

don't worry, be happy.

{a pair of shoes is usually always on my list. i at least had to include a picture}

ten little things that make me terribly happy {today}:
1. the organic and beyond delicious kumquats i bought at the market.
2. lovebird being on spring break. seeing each other during the day {as opposed to 10, when we both get home at night} makes me feel like i'm actually married to him. so exciting, i tell you.
3. downton abbey. season 1. you're my new nightly obsession.
4. true friends. the ones that you really love and know they love you in return.
5. ikea's cute napkins and straws. they are a staple in our home. we go through them like water.
6. fresh flowers. they always brighten up your day. and they make any room look happier.
7. this quote. why? because i'm a very curious person. just ask lovebird- he laughs at me daily.
8. face time on my phone. i've been having belly laughs with my mom face to face. even though we are 730 miles and 11 hours and 50 minutes away from each other.
9. my smash book. if you don't have one get one! and watch this.
10. heating pads. the cure and relief to being a woman.

little lists.

as of right now:

i love these things:

1. clean sheets. 

if i could, i'd wash them every day.

just so i can climb into that fresh scent and crisp texture each night. 

2. urban decay lip gloss/stick.

3. grapefruits for breakfast.

{i eat a whole one every morning.}

4. blossoms on the trees in the orchards.

spring is on it's way here!

i miss these things:

1. little brother.

2. having a body of a 16 year old.

i miss being able to physically bounce right back to dance

day after day without any aches and pains.

3. my grandma.

but, i miss her every day.

i have a crush on these things:

1. this girl has it perfect.

{i love the hair, lip color, and barely-there eye makeup.}

2. i would love to get my hands on these. 

just the letters that spell our last name.

i've had my eye on them for quite sometime- i need them, please.

3. olay lotion.

oh, i'm in love. my skin is in love too.

i don't like this these things:

1. immature drama.

2. feeling so behind in my homework and reading.

{thanks to going out of town. yikes.}

3. pasta with red sauce. 

call me crazy. i don't know why.

i 'm just not feeling it now days. i hope it's just a phase.

i am craving these things:

1. mcdonald's ice cream cones.

best $.89 you'll ever spend.

2. broccoli, carrots, celery and a bell pepper for lunch.

this is an odd craving coming from me.

but, i've had it for a week straight now. yummy.

3. cuddle time with lovebird.

but, when am i not craving that?

these things sum up my every day life right now. 

the good, the bad and the wants.

happy tuesday.

xo

love is in the air.

february is quickly approaching.

here are the things i simply adore or am in love with right now.

take a peak, please.

these earrings are to die for. classic, vintage and mint green.

lipstick. i can't seem to have enough shades these days.

it's my make up staple at the moment. 

this "stuff" is to die for. pistachio and salted carmel tie for first place.

our favorite indulgence given lovebird's allergy to milk.

this sweet gift idea. wouldn't you love to find these on your doorstep?

any day of the week. tulips are charming.

this skirt. simply gorgeous and elegant.

it reminds me of a ballerina. 

next diy project. planning on covering my mantel in the spring. 

i've got to start collecting my tin cans. 

favorite quote. lovebird and say this at least ten times a day. 

it's actually become a little game/inside joke of ours.

love it, and love him. 

what are your favorites? the things you adore? or are currently crushing over?

i'm dying to know. 

xoxo