Tag Archives: Travel

Fancy That

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It’s Christmastime [wait...what the...you knew?!?].

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It feels like seconds ago that I graduated, hugged my housemates [tearfully] goodbye, and left Wake; only a few breaths since I arrived in New York, bright-eyed and shaking with anticipation.

Image 4I started class. Got a job [that I love]. Added one more and an internship.

Summer quickly faded away.

Image 2Fall came.

The semester ended. And the internship.

Image 1And cozying up in the warm corners of my favorite coffee shops…so did new friends.

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Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the East River, the violent clip of shoes on a sidewalk, and blaring cab horns.

When the hurricane hit, I boarded up my windows, shared my power strips, and commiserated with what finally felt like “My City.”

Image 3But…

[It's a big but...] I’m ready for a week off.

Ready to snuggle with my sisters in our childhood beds. Ready to burrow my head in the warm [and smelly] neck of my dog. Ready to wake up and fall asleep to familiar footsteps pacing a very familiar wooden hallway.

ImageThe winter weather is a perfect send-off to a hopefully white, St. Louis Christmas!

I’ve got some fun posts planned for this week, so check back if you’ve got time between your sips of eggnog and wrapping of presents.

Here’s to the happiest of happy holiday weeks!

2nd Lieutenant & Mrs.

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Well they’ve gone and done it, my favorite couple of 6 years is officially married!

But that’s a rather bland summary of what was in fact an enchanting weekend. So please, let me start again.

Thursday afternoon I rushed to the airport (as I promised I would), jockeyed my way through the security line, jumped on my flight and drove straight home where a wedding-party bar crawl promptly began.

Pitchers of homemade sangria and plates of pork tenderloin sliders along with various nibbles and dips set a festive mood.

And the party bus? Well that just solidified it, really.

We were carted over to the Three-Sixty Lounge in St. Louis. If you ever find yourself in the area and just so happen to have a penchant for spectacular city views and cucumber vodka cocktails, do head over!

It’s swanky and just a bit sexy but not overdone. Plush couches and cozy fires mixed with some seriously good music means there’s a little something for everyone!

Friday morning’s rehearsal came far too soon after an appallingly late Thursday night… but the coinciding brunch and party favors were more than enough to bring smiles to even the weariest of faces (this award went to yours truly).

If there is one thing the Midwest does well, it’s put together a fine spread of food.

Personalised hankies for all the women! Too cute, and as tears were already welling during the practice these were a most appropriate trinket.

The night took us into a western-themed rehearsal dinner so well done even Pinterest pales in comparison.

There were as many laughs as tears and more than a few toasts I wish I had recorded.

And then wedding day was here!

It was a down-home theme oh-so-perfectly suited to the outdoor setting.

And the bride? Well she was a heart-wrenching kind of gorgeous.

With a dress to boot.

We danced and ate and drank until our feet (and stomachs) could handle no more.

And when the night began looking a bit like this,

we sent our newlyweds off in a fittingly romantic fashion.

It was a night spent reveling in love and life and one I’m in no hurry to forget.

Cheers to the new Mr. & Mrs!

Old Habits Die Hard

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I hope you haven’t gotten used to me being in one place for too long because I’m back to my usual antics and boarding a flight this afternoon.

You see, as much as I love New York and all my new “goings on” here, there’s something rather special happening in my home town this weekend.

My very best friend since before I can remember having a best friend is getting married on Saturday. Happy is an understatement, but no word quite fits all my emotions between its first and last letter so it’ll have to suffice.

While I was lining up my in-flight entertainment (book from Tuesday and a new playlist), I thought I’d share some of the fun.

My dad recently turned me on to The Given Tree Project and this track has quickly become a favorite,

(If you’ve noticed a bit of an Americana trend poking through my most recent music selections, aren’t you a clever little devil…I can’t stop.)

In perfect honestly, I can’t remember ever making a playlist without including this next song. I fall hard for Eddie Vedder long ago and need him with me always.

Then this one…well this is for when I curl up in my little nook of a window-seat and pass out from this insane week. If you’d prefer to avoid the chance that you’ll find yourself face-down and drooling on your lap-top in the next 4 minutes…skip it.

Radiohead. Does it get any better? I don’t think I (or the record books) can muster even the weakest of disagreements.

If you’ve still got time on your hands and want to do a bit more reading, here are some articles that might be of interest.

- Esquire Magazine’s “The Last Days of Heath Ledger” : it’s fiction, and it was published a while ago, but boy is it amazing.

- Leonardo DiCaprio a woman? Go here and have a laugh (seriously, it’s remarkable).

And that’ll do it!  Have a great Thursday!

Wanderlust

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It’s been a bit since I’ve done a post detailing my mind’s current wanderings (you can find another one here)…but I think they always fall on Tuesdays. There’s just something about the second day of the work week. I’m still mooning over the previous weekend’s revelries but the upcoming Friday is sososo far away concrete plans can’t be made.

Hence, I daydream.

It might be the English Major / Legend of Arthur lover in my soul, or the current gloomy weather outside, but Kynance Cove, Cornwall is looking all kinds of inviting.

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Strolling into the fog and burying my toes in the damp sand…it’s calling me by my first name (I swear).

As does the potential to look as cozy and comfy as these little ladies while doing so.

(all photos from my Pinterest)

And, of course, a perfect ending would be capping it off by snuggling up on a big, worn blanket soaking in a good book.

I’ve just started this,

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It was part of my Book Expo loot and came with only the highest remarks. But at just under 100 pages in, it’s unfortunately more confusing than enthralling…though there’s still 450 (ish) pages to change my mind :-)

Where’s everyone else’s brain escaping to today? Or (god-forbid) does someone out there look forward to Tuesday?

Call Me Crazy

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But I think I’m in love.

It was a day spent in complete and constant sensory overload, in truly the most welcome turn of the phrase.

So as I quite literally crash (face first, bien sûr)  into my plush hotel bed, stomach full of the most delicious Minetta Tavern burger (a post you should expect rather soon) and feet feeling every step of our tour today, I hope you’ll enjoy seeing some of my favorite “captures” of what I’m now calling home.

Au Revoir St. Louis

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I feel as though the most commonly mentioned event on this blog is me packing…eating is perhaps a close second…but packing certainly wins and now, I’ve done it again.

As you’re probably reading this, after an overwhelmingly wonderful 9 days at home, I’m lugging all my hopes, aspirations and far too many pairs of shoes to New York City.

Original plans had me leaving yesterday, and despite profound excitement for this adventure, there was an event here tonight I simply couldn’t refuse.

The (first) bridal shower for my best-friend-since-forever, Caroline.

I had pretty good-looking date and a decently good-looking dress, so I stayed and I couldn’t have made a better choice.

There’s plenty more bridal events and pictures to regal you with in the coming months as we toast my favorite couple so forgive me for posting them sparingly today.

I’ve neglected doing a playlist post for a short while and given that I’ll be rendered internet-less for a few flight hours, I thought I’d give you a peak into what I’ll be listening to beforehand.

An unwavering favorite obsession,

I first saw this band, The Civil Wars, on a peanutbutterrunner post (who has a great music selection) and I suppose it was love at first sight because I’ve been listening ever since.

And because few songs are as sure-fire a way to feel good, here’s this sorta-oldie but always-goodie,

I hope everyone has a great Saturday!!

Oh Hello

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Remember me? I remember you!
I’ve got all sorts of goodies to tell you about. Unfortunately, I’m a bit occupied with this today…

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It’s bound to take some time, but just because I’m ripping my hair out in boredom doesn’t mean you must!

My instagram (follow me @ m_vain) has been a busy beaver this week and I thought you might like to take a gander.

My driving conditions this morning…that conveniently fit my mood after saying far too many “goodbyes” yesterday.

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A gut-busting and delicious family meal enjoyed in open air at a Winston-Salem favorite, 6th & Vine.

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A few very proud moments spent in an excruciatingly hot black cap and gown.

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My whole life in the back of my car.

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If you don’t have Instagram, you should probably get it. If you do, show me your shots!

Back in Action

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Where do I begin telling you about my weekend?

To say it was everything I wanted in a final girls’ weekend would be doing it a grave disservice.

We cruised into Myrtle Beach early Friday afternoon, threw the car in park, and took off for the water.

Once properly refreshed, we turned to more important things.

Tipping our faces toward the sun and letting our end-of-term stress slowly melt away into the warm, damp sand.

Hydrating in the classiest (and most mature) way possible.

And, when all else failed, people-watching.

It’s a longstanding school tradition that after the last final ends, we escape to the beach to blow off some steam. With this many people partying, playing music, and the general ensuing chaos…we were never short on amusement.

Each day passed in similar fashion. Morning dips in the ocean to wipe away the scars of the previous evening’s debauchery. Cat naps in the sun. Watching the day slowly fade away over the horizon.

Each night saw us dancing to live bands, carousing around Main Street, and exploring the local late-night diners.

Sadly, despite all the denial we could muster… Monday morning arrived all too quickly and the weekend came to an end. Myrtle joined with us this morning as we bid our tearful goodbyes, fervently promising to call once a week and trying to squeeze all our love into each hug.

The storm followed us seniors all the way back to school where we’ll wait for this weekend and the next round of festivities: Graduation.

I cannot thank my friends enough for all the laughs, hugs, and general banter of the weekend.

What did everyone else do? Anything exciting?

All My Bags Are…

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Packed. Getting them to look this way worked a bit like this, except more bathing suits and less boots this time.

The last of my food has been gobbled up.

The final dab of this hummus, a delectable yellow bell pepper, and a matching bowl… maybe I color-coordinated the plate intentionally, maybe I didn’t. It’s my secret and I’m not sharing ;-)

New reading material has been purchased (and willpower has been exercised to pack it and not dig right in!).

And I’m ready to go!

Not home for good, that is a sad post you can look for in a couple of weeks, but to the beach for one last getaway with these pretty ladies before graduation.

The “No Uglies Allowed” (right hand photo) isn’t a personal philosophy, it’s just that everywhere we went on Spring Break there was someone wearing that ridiculous shirt.

I’ll be a little quiet over the weekend but look for me Monday with stories of all the trouble 7 girls can get into!

 

 

We Meet Again

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Just shy of a year ago, I hopped the pond and visited one of my best friends in London. It was a ten-day adventure I’ll never forget and while I’d love to relive it with you, I’m only here to recap one five-minute memory of our shopping day in Notting Hill. While meandering the many shops and sidewalk venders I found the most delicate and wonderful necklace. I loved everything about it, it was a dangling orb that contained the most perfect vintage clock.

The only thing I didn’t love? The price sticker of eighty-pounds (~$130). After ten-days of eating, drinking and touring London and Paris I promise you would groan upon seeing it as well. So it was left behind, but it has popped in and out of my mind many times since.

Fast forward to my excitement a few weekends ago when, during my shopping trip in New York City’s SoHo district, I happened upon this gem,

There is a chance that my eyes literally bugged out of my head and a shriek of delight slipped out of my mouth. I had been thinking about this necklace for too long! Now was my chance.

Again… I didn’t love the price. But $50 for something I spent a year lusting over was considerably more reasonable than the previous tag. So after careful thought and just little encouragement from my girls…it was mine at last!

I’ve worn it a couple of times since; sometimes to fancy-weekend occasions and sometimes, like today, to casual endeavors like sociology class.

And when it just doesn’t seem to fit… it hangs here: front and center on my jewelry stand.

If you find yourself drooling over this as much as I did, no need to worry! They are currently for sale here.

Also, please head over to a favorite blog of mine, Carrie Bradshaw Lied, because yours truly is doing a guest post today!