Currently, with Paige (and giveaway winner!!)

Currently....wanting to wear my new boots all day er' day!!

I HAD to buy them.

I mean...I've been in Texas more than half my life and still didn't have cowboy boots! It was sad, really.

(but now I'm considering returning them because I'm pretty much broke. Bleh.)

Franco Sarto ankle booties 

Currently....mourning my decisions to NOT buy the perfect black motorcycle ankle boots at Marshall's the other day. I can't even find a photo of them online!

I'll never see them again. :(

Currently... re-reading the book of Matthew.

source: Juxtapost

I decided to start reading through the New Testament in order. 

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever done that before! 

(Does my posting about my love for boots conflict with "do not prioritize temporary things"? Hmm.)

Currently...still recovering from my first encounter with this...

Blue Bell, you've done it again!

Currently...on the search for a fabulous sweater like this to take to England with me.

source: loveitsomuch

The thing is, I live in Texas. The only sweaters I've found out are thin and not cozy enough for my liking!! (Help?!)

Currently....trying to get back in shape. 

I ran THE MOST PATHETIC less than two miles of my life last night. It was terrible. Really really bad.

But, here's a sneak peak of my new hair (not that you can tell....) 

;)

Lastly, CONGRATS to Katie Rice, the winner of our Bayou Accents giveaway! Thanks so everyone who participated!

take five

Just a little brain break today: five faves!

take one

pup in a cup! source: pinterest

take two

sweet summer sandals, source: mnzstore.com

take three

source: french press mornings

take four

celtic knot hair, source: pinterest

take five

DIY diamonds, source: sugar and cloth

enjoy! leave me a comment with some of your current faves :)

Soooo, I went shopping....

So Drew and I have this little habit of winding down after a week (or seven) of crazy by going shopping. 

Problem?

Potentially.....but normally its just "window shopping," or I find my favorite toothpaste on the clearance aisle at Target which is Always exciting!

Today I bought things. Oops! The deals were just too good- so I'll share ;)

And my tip is that these items were actually much cheaper in the store than the "clearance" price online!!

Shop stop #1- Marshall's (FAVE!)

exhibit A of my super impressive photog skills

Cynthia Rowley top, that I absolutely cannot find anywhere online!

I promise I'll be on the search for something similar.

I love this top because it has a simple, flattering cut, and has a light yellow under-layer!

Tuxedo, color-block, blousey tank?! YES please!

I feel like I don't even need to explain myself on this one.

Violet and Claire- super weird Japanese website....I'll try to find this elsewhere as well ;)

Shop stop #2- Old Navy

Lovely fitted slouchy T under $10? I'll take it!!

(online $12.50...I got them for $10 and then 20% off in stores!)

here

Rockstar zipper skinnies I've been eyeing forever but didn't want to dish $34.50 out on?

($30 still online-I got them for $18.95 and then 20% off in stores)

here

I actually bought these in brown, but couldn't find a photo.

Super comfy, slightly pointed toe, and $8.95?!? You betcha I snatched those up without even thinking!!

($19 online, but I found them in stores for $8.95 and 20% off!)

here

I'm definitely feeling like it was a successful outing over all! Excited to style these new pieces and to figure out how they will fit into my wardrobe! Woohoo!

Happy weekend, y'all!

Happies and Crappies- part 3

Happy February! Linking up with Sarah and Stephanie for their third weekly....

happies

First of all, precious little man was here all week. I. Love. Him. I can't even describe my joy from how many times I got to snuggle him.

We ate pretty well this week! (and by pretty well, I mean healthy, not like your grandma's-delicious-chicken-spaghetti-and-Pizza-Hut well)

Photo numero uno shows a breakfast I was especially proud of- "wilted" spinach (FANCY) with a fried egg (not quite so fancy), but yum!

Photo numero dos, when adding two handfuls of spinach which are not pictured, represents the amount of fruits/veggies Drew and I consumed in one sitting. Hazzah for juicing!

Tie-up shirt: Valerie Bertinelli (Marshall's)

Sweater: "Ultra-Soft" Cardi (Target)

Jacket: Forever 21 (Amelia's find!)

Denim: YMI (also an Amelia's find)

Shoes: Target (worn here)

Threw together this outfit that turned out pretty fun. I also figured out that straightening my bangs prevents the fun humidity inspired Farrah Fawcett hair-who knew? (Nothing against Farrah Fawcett! I just don't pull that look off quite as well...)

Shoes: Nine West

New!! You guys. I can't help it!!! 

1) Marshall's is great. 

2) The best boyfriend ever bought them for me.

3) Loafers!

4) Tassles.

crappies

....yeah, I can't think of any right now!

I hope you all have a very blessed start to your brand new month, and don't forget to link-up to share your weekly highlights!

-PB

This Weekend, No. 5

To start off my weekend right, rooms and I drove up to Woody's in Centerville (holla!) to meet my mom to pick up Winston!! I was thrilled to accept the pup-sitting position while my parents cruise it up with Carnival. (it eases the jealousy...)

So basically, thats my weekend ;) Puppy snuggles, puppy walks, puppy games, puppy infused friend times. Woohoooo!

Just kidding. (Kind of...)

*hint- If you just want MORE puppy pictures, follow me on twitter and instagram!

This weekend, rooms invented a delicious drink at Sonic. Seriously y'all, I don't even like tea- don't judge me- and I've had two this weekend. Half lemonade + half tea....Well thats a perfectly normal drink, you say, its even been named!...but get this:  + raspberry. Oh yeah. Ok, maybe everyone else in the world knows about this already but I'm pretty darn excited.

This weekend, Drew left for another audition. I say that like I'm annoyed, but really its a pretty cool deal. He's basically an awesome trumpet player, already won one job, and has advanced in handful of other auditions....but this audition is home for him. So until Tuesday, Drew is in Milwaukee, kickin butt (again). Get it, babe! :)

This weekend, I wore these:

Shoes: Bandolino (at Ross!!)

Bought these cuties over the break and forgot to blog about them- how dare I...and yes, I have itty bitty feets.

I hope you all had a restful weekend!
*Sidenote- I think its funny that the aim of weekends used to be fun and now its relax. I'm rambling...

Link up with Sarah or Syndal to share your weekend re-caps! 

-PB

This Weekend, No. 4

Happy long weekend to all of you lucky people (like me) that get an extra day off!

This weekend, I started season 2 of Downton Abby. so good.

This weekend, (err...Friday) I was pretty excited about my outfit for the Carol Wincenc masterclass. 

Three points about this photo:

1. Yes, I often take photos in this mirror. Its the woodwind grad "office" (AKA large practice room with extra stuff) and the only full length mirror I have access to without standing on the edge of my tub to see my outfit in the bathroom mirror.....come on, you know you've done that too...
2. Hair day win!
3. I swear I took the leg warmers off before I went on stage. It was cold that morning!!

Shirt: ELLE Lace Peplum Top in Ivory (here!) 

Skirt: Target (here!)

Belt: came with skirt

Shoes: Blowfish Cherie flat (at DSW)

Now, this is a special skirt and I feel that I must explain. First of all, it was party of my Christmas present from Drew- thanks baby! Second of all- it fits. Never have I ever had a pencil skirt that fit in the (little more full) behind region without making me feel like a skank-ho! SO- go check it out!

This weekend, We actually visited the adorable mom and pop style cafe next door to Drew's house. The bacon was fantastic. I brought my own coffee. Is that rude?

This weekend, I got to hang out with my man's bestie (RP3) and his awesome woman Sarah a lot. Well, two nights in a row is a lot for us and it was great!

The first night of together-ness included an action packed two hour wait for food at La Fiesta- Who's idea was it to go on Friday night?? But, I did get this cutie guy (who actually still lives on my dashboard, Sarah, just so you know).

This weekend, I cooked pork chops for the first time! And quite successfully, I might add.

I mean, I seared them and everything. Definitely have never done any cooking that required searing and baking (go me!). Even the broccoli was extra good!

I used a recipe that has been floating around pinterest that supposedly makes the best broccoli ever.
You shake this brocc up with olive oil, salt, and pepper, cook the brocc on high heat for a short amount of time, then sprinkle with lemon juice and permesan cheese. It was pretty darn good!

(Looks great right? Like I've said in previous posts- most def not a food photographer)


This weekend, I helped with a program that my flute professor, Dr. Arnone, started at Baylor called "Honor Flutes". She invites all the high school and middle school flutists in the area to join a (free) flute choir that she conducts. The music is a challenge for most of them, but the Baylor flute studio jumps in the rehearse and perform with them- the goal being to give them a musical opportunity they might not regularly have the chance to take part in. We also hope that they have a good time, which we all did!

How did you spend your weekend?

This Weekend, No. 2

This weekend, I packed up and made the trek back to good ol' Waco. What a thrill to find out that all of my cold weather clothes fit into my shared room! Its the little things, y'all.

First thing in Waco, literally as soon as I drove up, I met up with Drew (eeeee!) and we drove to eat dinner with our newly wed friends- the Lott's! It was such a treat to not have to eat fast food the first night back in town. Rachel and Andy cooked up a delicios paleo dinner. I could seriously eat this stuff every day!
Of course margaritas don't exactly fall into the paleo category, but Rachel has started a really great blog on the paleo lifestyle if you are interested.

This weekend, I realized yet again how much I hate being away from Drew for any time at all! He flew off to San Francisco to audition for a trumpet opening in the San Francisco Symphony- such an honor! You might remember back in December when he won a job with the Army, and now he gets to add advancing in SF audition to his ever growing resume. Go baby go! So proud of you :)

Here is a lovely shot that Drew shared with me from his day of sight-seeing:

This weekend, I had a lot of alone time and practiced the flute much more that I had been for the rest of the break. Being alone and being a little bit chilly gave me the opportunity to re-wear and re-style my (fake) furry vest (without shame)! I love this vest. Let me repeat: I love this vest. Quite honestly I can't even tell you where it was originally from, because MARSHALL'S IS AMAZING. Am I right??

I present to you: messy grad room and furry vest photo day #1

Vest: YMI (found it! super sale)

Shirt: Boyfriend hand-me-down

Jeans: a.n.a. (jcp, similar here)

Boots: Sam & Libby Fiddler booties

And messy grad room furry vest day #2

Vest: YMI (found it! super sale)

Sweater: H&M, 2010

Skinnies: Levi's

Boots: Sam & Libby

Flute: Muramatsu ;)

This weekend, I finally watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey. Oh my goodness I do believe that the raving reviews were correct! Must. Watch. More.

What did you do this weekend?

Back to school...

Out of all the things I have to be thankful for, I still find it in me to wish that Thanksgiving break was just a little bit longer! I also with that Waco and my allergies didn't keep colliding head on. Any one out there have any wonderful home remedies? (This is coming from the allergie shot, netti pot, steroid nose spray girl...yuck!)

A fun sidenote to the end of this way too short break, is that Drew (boyfriend) and I now have a Nintendo DS (with classic games like Mario Kart) and sling-shots to add to our anything but studying collection! Before the video games and sling-shots our favorite past time was shooting each other with NERF guns. I highly recommend this form of aggression release for both parties ;) Last year I was the super cool new girl friend that bought him NERF guns for Christmas, which I'm pretty sure helped me to secure the title of "Best Girlfriend Ever"! Get your man a set of NERF guns- you won't regret it!!

Today's fashion section features one of my current favorite dresses! Dresses or skirts have become a staple of my wardrobe for Texas "fall/winter" since they are so versatile. This particular dress could be styled many different ways!

1) Add either a high waisted belt or a wide ribbon to accentuate the waist.
2) Add tights (which I should have done- check out those ghost legs!!!) with boots.
3) Add a cardi, vest, or blazer.
4) Wear flats for a more casual look or pumps for a more dressed-up evening look!

Boots: Steve Madden (here)

Thanks again to Sarah for the fantastic photos! If you enjoyed today's post feel free to leave an encouraging comment and subscribe! :)

-PB