FAIL

Here, in Chicago today, it is just icky out.  Cold, but humid so who even knows what type of temp should be blasting in the car...heat (but oh goodness I am stifling), AC (but oh goodness, goosebumps have covered my body), windows down (cold and dear I feel like I just worked out I am so sticky).  So, since the weather was blah, I didn't plan to look blah, but wow...didn't I succeed in doing so?  All black is usually a flattering look, but this time, in attempts to be not too hot and not too cold, I ended up looking like a nun.  Yup.  A nun.  I was anticipating someone coming up to me and asking where my little head covering thing was.  Sheesh.  What a fail.

Long ago

{Photos cerca 1980-2006...me and dad exchanging a smooch, mom and little sister in China after we had finally gotten our little babe, big sis and I with our Grapa, a kind note from my best friend, mom and dad at dad's graduation, family vacation in Door County, dad and grapa, mom looking gorg, and my trip to Paris}

Sometimes I find myself being more sentimental than I ought to be.  Maybe a song and a photo of my dad and I kissing when I was 3 shouldn't automatically bring tears to my eyes, but somehow, it does.  Family and memories and love and friends and laughter and old letters...just move me.  I can't believe how blessed I have been in this life.  The goodness that has poured out on me is undeserving and I hope I can always act in gratefulness and love.

Yesterday, after I had worked up the energy to go through our hutch to organize/pitch/clean, I began what ended up being a very sentimental task.  Looking through all these old photos (and like 200 more) and listening to soft music is just a good bad combo.

Matt Wertz's "I will not take my love away" + family photos + me = crying and joy and a confused husband. Confused until we listened to music and danced in the kitchen.  His eyes were all weepy after that one.  

Un-noteworthy outfit days

{Dress, thrifted jcrew; Blouse, nastygal.com; Belt, thrifted; Aviators, Target}

When I was a kid, my parents said I would change my clothes 6x a day and I'd come down the stairs in outfits they had never seen and in combinations they hadn't put me in before.  I would layer my socks, mix and match leggings, skirts and tops like a good 90's girl should.  From the beginning, I had so much fun with clothes.  I'd imagine new combinations of outfits and pair them with my coolest of hightop tennies and jelly shoes.  But as I get older and more tired (ugh) the time I have to stand in front of my closet and dream has shrunk.  I now prefer a minimum of 2 pushes of the "sleep" button, a long hot shower and a cup of coffee over closet staring.  So...this is my go-to.  A simple, sometimes un-noteworthy outfit.  Turn a dress into a skirt and throw a blouse over it (that way you don't even need to worry about a cami, etc).  And if bagginess starts to take over your body, throw on a belt.  Tricking people of put-togetherness is a Taylor specialty.  

xo

Weird and wonderful

A weird and wonderful vacation

Weird

- The amount of food we consumed.

- Our six hour time-share presentation and tour which ended with us getting a stern talk because we didn't buy real estate.  Lay off, lady.

- The people watching.  I mean, seriously...what are you wearing?!

- That our hotel room had two double beds in it instead of one king (hotel mistake, oh well).  And each night we slept in separate beds.  And kinda slept great.  Ha.

- Me taking off my wedges while watching the water show at the Bellagio because my feet almost fell off.  This is Vegas and it's dirty.  I didn't get any looks from anyone but I was completed disgusted by myself.  

- Me being carded and called a minor and told me she would call security...I am not 17 people! Sorry your wife looks like a highschooler, hubs.

Wonderful 

- The amount of food we consumed (yes, this is on both lists).  When else do you get to eat goat cheese pizza and truffle and blue cheese homemade potato chips?  

- The sun. The pool.  The mojitos.  Nuf' said. 

- The Hunger Games.  I read it in 3 days and am officially obsessed.  I am so trendy.

- Visiting extended family and sitting around my Grama's table eating her home cooking.  Delicious and lovely does not do it justice.  

- Husband dates for 4 straight days.  Bliss bliss bliss.

Leaving on a 757

Good afternoon, everyone!  I am happy because in about 4 hours, husband and I will be on a plane and heading to good ole Las Vegas, NV.  We are going for a short little vaca and we can't wait to get away.  And to 90 degree weather.  Hallelujah for the sun!  We are planning on doing a little walking, a lot of eating, a bit of sipping, a lot of pool lounging, some family visiting, a bit of sports book sitting and so on and so forth.  The weekend vacation starts...now.  See you all on Monday!

xo!

I am not here today

I am not here today...so head on over HERE to see my little guest post and the lovely Kylee Noelle!  

You will be glad you did.  And maybe, just maybe, you'll learn something new about the two crazies (yeah, I am talking about us).

{Picture taken at one of our wedding showers.  Aw.}

Happy Wednesday!

My iPhone says

 

 

This past weekend, one of my best friends got married.  I packed my bags (and my bridesmaid dress), hit the road and headed to my old college town where she currently lives and was getting married there.  It was so weird and wonderful to be back.  I saw some of my greatest friends and we reminisced about old times.  I was even able to take the hub around and show him my old stomping grounds for 4 years.  I went to a tiny christian school so the tour lasted about 7 mins total, but it was still so fun.  And apparently, all I did last week was eat.  Sheesh.  

Hi & Goodbye

{Sunnies, Target; Tank, F21; Shirt, Thrifted; Jeans, Anthropologie}

Sometimes this is all I have time for.  A quick "hey hey, now I gotta go."  After school completed and studying finally ceased I thought I would have all the time in the world to cook for my husband every night, clean house, chat with friends on the phone in far off states and take my little sister to coffee every afternoon after her school got out...but little did I know life would still be a hustle.  It's not so bad though.  Thankfully my husband still sends praises my way even when I don't have anything prepared for dinner and my friends still call me and love me even if I can't pick up the phone every time they call.  Life is good and busy and I am running right along with it.  And tonight...I am actually cooking dinner (cue the Hallelujah chorus...).

And the nominees are...

{Top, Anthropologie; Jeans, Anthropologie; Shoes, frockcandy.com; Belt, Urban Outfitters; Bracelet, lulus.com; Hat, F21}

So yesterday I told you about the lovely "Liebster Blog Award" that is given to those blogs who have less than 300 followers that people think deserve well above that number.  We all have these blogs to share our lives and connect with people.  We would all love a little extra traffic and more conversations with readers and this blog allows that to happen, so please take a little look at all these lovelies...

1. Girls in the Green Boots  Two friends who are just adorable and fabulous.

2. Homeseed She makes beautiful things and her taste is perfect.  

3. Courtney Lane Just plain cute

4. Oh Pish Posh Seriously great style

5. Note to Self Her life is worth following

So, do me a favor and head over to say hello?  You'll be glad you did. 

Happy Liebster Award lovelies!
(And now it is your turn, girls, to pass this award on to 5 other bloggers you love!)

Today and a nomination!

{Skirt, TJMaxx-Max Studio; Tank, Anthropologie; Blazer, H&M; Shoes, Anthropologie; Belt, thrifted}

Today is Monday and I was so excited to see THIS POST by the lovely Natalie where I was nominated for the Liebster Award!  This award is given to bloggers by other bloggers of their kind who think they deserve a little more recognition and traffic to their blogs....so...thank you, Natalie (!) for thinking my little blog is deserving of such a sweet and kind award!  Everyone, go see Natalie and her cuteness!  Come back tomorrow to see who I nominate.  This is an award that keeps on giving.  And awarding.

Oh and this is me today.  I managed to escape my lovely nannying home without a single spot on my skirt and top.  Success!

Ciao, xo!

Who wears short shorts?

{Shorts, Zara; Blouse, Francescas; Sunnies, Target}

Apparently I do.  But I also think I found my forth of July outfit already.  A little premature?  No way!  Especially since I am a very patriotic girl and love to eat watermelon and hotdogs and go to parades and watch fireworks if it isn't too mosquito-y.

A little bit country

{Shirt, Anthropologie; Skirt, Zara; Belt, Anthropologie; Wedges, Target; Bracelets, F21}

When I was ten, I went on this long road trip with my Grama (that's how we say it/spell it in our house).  We drove from Chicago through all the northern states and landed safely in northern California where I was born, my extended family lived and my parents grew-up.  But on our journey, we found ourselves in Montana.  Oh goodness, Montana.  I could have stayed there in those field, feeding horses and standing on that open ground with the wind whirling around me.  The freshness.  The earthiness that I smelled.  And the freedom to run until I was too tired to take another step.  For those two days, I felt like I was where part of my heart belonged.  I have never been back, but I cannot wait to return.  I can't wait to dry my hair in the wind again (which I really did when I was 10).

Hobby

Tonight we are going out with friends and it is way overdue.  Evenings with good friends over food and drink is one of my favorite past times.  I don't have a ton of crazy hobbies, but food and friends count, right?  I feel so lucky to have a husband and friends who love and encourage me at all times in my life.  Sometimes I just get so gushy and happy and thankful I can't stop smiling or stop that tear from coming out uninvited.  I feel a few coming on...

{pants, Gap; tank, H&M; Blazer, Gap; Wedges, lulus.com; sunnies, windsorstore.com}