Want: Kate Spade Mugs

Loving these Kate Spade coffee cups.

Stocking-stuffer anyone?

Friday favorite

I spotted this room on La Velle Vie this morning and absolutely love it. Something about the backwards-facing books on the mantel is really, surprisingly lovely paired with the hydrangeas. Also, the messy montage of photos is totally me.

Happy Friday!

News: Book blog!

Well, seeing as I frequently post about books, I’m excited to announce a new venture that I’ve started with my good friend Meg—who I began book club with. We’ve started co-writing a new blog for book lovers: Serendipity in the Stacks. If you love books as much as we do, please stop by!

Via We Heart It

Tourist in residence...

This past weekend, with my dad in town, I got the chance to play tour guide and show off my city, one of my favorite things to do. Living in DC, there are so many things to do and see, that I’m always adding activities to my never-ending bucket list. With visitors, I always warn them to bring their walking shoes, because I’m all for maximizing time in the city and usually drag everyone around excitedly pointing out my favorite DC spots, leaving us all utterly exhausted by the time the weekend’s over.

And this weekend was no different. Saturday, we ventured up to the National Arboretum, which I’ll definitely be heading back to in the spring when everything’s in bloom again. We also walked all the way there from Union Station, through scenic Northeast DC (cue sarcasm), which, if you’re familiar with DC at all, was quite the hike and left me feeling a bit like Annie Oakley. But it was a beautiful once we arrived.

Sunday was the highlight of the visit, for me. Having lived in DC for more than a year, I’ve been dying to go to the Newseum—in short, DC’s museum of media. Given that I’m the in the public relations industry and a self-proclaimed media junkie, I knew I’d love this place, but I didn’t realize how much I would. It’s without a doubt one of my favorite places in DC now. Not only are the exhibits so interesting, but the view of DC is to die for. Walking through the exhibit, I kept thinking back to my favorite book when I was kid, “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” where two kids run away and spend the night in the MET. Seriously, friends, if I could move in I would. While I didn’t get to see everything, my favorite exhibits were, of course, the homage to 9/11 and the Pulitzer Prize winning photography from the last 50 years (some of these images are so searing and haunting, it’s crazy to think how quickly the moment might’ve passed by in reality). Walter Iooss, one of Sports Illustrated’s, most famous photographers also had an awesome exhibit, which I think is only there temporarily, so you should catch it while you can.

Until I upload my own, here are a few cool shots of the Newseum:

The building itself, awesome. Via Freedom Forum.

A giant quote of the First Amendment on the outside of the museum. Via Architecture Buzz!

The view of the Capitol from inside. Via Missouri School of Journalism.

The rooftop view, breathtaking. Via GoBackPacking.com.

If I ever get married, it might just have to be here, how amazing is the rooftop view of the Capitol?

Book + Art Whimsy

Seems like I'm writing a lot about books lately, so leave it to me to bring to you a gem of a find when it comes to books and art--C.S. Neal--whose work I spotted over at Paper & Ink this morning.

Neal's whimsical illustrations were featured alongside the NPR Summer Reading list, which mind you I've most definitely used to update my GoodReads account. Turns out, after perusing Neal's site for a bit he does a ton of illustrations for books, book reviews, bands, local shows and other ephemera.

How fun is his work? I love it.

Bookshelf Lust

As I posted earlier my love for the Tumblr site BookshelfPorn, I was thrilled to see the lovely review of the blog in the New Yorker yesterday. Not surprisingly, the site's creator, Anthony Dever shares my hesitation over the Kindle.

My friend Meg and I, who recently started our own book club--Books and Brunch--have come to the conclusion that given the scenario, we would much rather take the library from Beauty and the Beast over the closet in Sex & the City. Although, don't get me wrong, I'd take more closet space any day of the week.

Here are some more lovely images from from Dever's blog; what I would give to be curled up here with a cup of coffee and a book on this rainy day. Definitely hop on over to read the review.

{Via}

“Looking at bookshelves represents the collective feelings of enjoyment that comes from reading books. Plus I love seeing the creative, charming, and interesting ways that people from around the world integrate bookshelves into their homes. People just have this affection and dedication for featuring their books.”

The perfect book tote

I'm a sucker for the 10th Commandment posts by Cap Hill Style. While my fashion budget unfortunately falls more closely inline with the "unpaid intern" or "hill staffer" than "elected official" (obviously), I still manage to find amazing ideas from each of these posts.

I'm loving the magazine tote bag from Net-a-Porter today. As if I don't have enough totes already. But, this would be perfect for those library or old book store perusing days.

Design: Bookshelf Love

It's no secret that I love words, stories, books and everything therein between. So when I stumbled across BookShelfPorn, a site completely devoted to books and the the houses that hold them, I knew it was a good find.

A daily devotional for book and design lovers.

In secret kept, in silence sealed

Some days I wonder if I should just work on developing my Tumblr a little more, rather than blogging as it seems to be a better platform for the miscellaneous photos and quotes I stumble upon. But I'm not quite ready to leave this space yet, so perhaps I'll just continue repurposing items from my favorite Tumblrs.

Stumbled upon this today from Karishma whose blog I adore. This Jane Eyre quote is one of my absolute favorites.

... The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, whose charms were broken if revealed.

Week's end recap: Thanksgiving edition

I've been thoroughly enjoying time with the family in South Carolina during the holiday. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving - I'm still stuffed!

It's been nice to take a little break, despite the fact that I feel utterly disconnected in that I haven't been online or checking my e-mail non-stop, but every once in a while it's really refreshing to unplug. It's a little quieter here now that my brothers just left, leaving me free reign over the tv/remote control/computers. But of course I didn't get by without their latest enlightenment on all things techie: computers, software and some engineering lingo that was way over my head. But it was a full and bustling house, exactly what I love most. I'm so thankful to have an amazing family and friends to share the day with.

And in light of the holiday, this week's favorites:

Prior to my eight-hour long drive drive from D.C. to S.C., I of course stocked up on audiobooks. This was the perfect novel as I found myself en route back to the South. Set in Louisiana, it only made me more excited to be driving South-bound. And I'm so glad I got the audiobook, because the accents are spot-on.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a serious tradition in my book. I can't ever remember not tuning in and one day, hopefully I'll catch it in person.

And last but not least, Christmas music is now officially in full force. Enjoy!

Weekend Recap

This weekend I took a much needed mini-hiatus and headed down to South Carolina to visit mom & stepdad. Lucky for me, LW's fam is from Columbia too so I caught a ride with her, her bf and their pup, making to 7+ hour drive much more enjoyable.

Cuddled up with LW's pup, Laila, I finally got the chance to finish The Time Traveler's Wife, an amazing book that I completely fell in love with. Although, I'll admit, I was a bit confused at first with multiple protagonists at varying ages in one time period, I finally managed to wrap my head around the concept and then couldn't put the book down.

My backseat buddy, Laila.

Once home, mom and I explored her new town a bit. We found a restaurant/bar called The Flying Saucer which had well over 100 different types of beer on tap. We tried cherry, blueberry and even pear beers, which was an interesting experience! If you drink every type of beer they offer (and believe you me it's a lot), the restaurant honors you with your very own saucer on the wall. My favorites were "this will look good on my resume" and "I would have finished sooner if I didn't have a girlfriend." oh good times.

Poor iPhone quality, but the saucers on the wall were pretty funny.

Mom and I also went to go see Julie & Julia - and the reviews are spot-on! The movie really was absolutely delightful. I didn't even expect it to be as funny as it was.

Today, instead of being the usual first day back to school, I started my new internship in D.C. I am absolutely loving the company and the account I'm on! It's exciting to be in the epicenter of change and development every day. And on that note, I'm fixin' to take my tired bones to bed so I can be up and at 'em again tomorrow!

One of my favorite parts of home - my sweet Molly. Look at that ghost face, I can't believe it's been 10 years since we brought her home!

Happy Monday!
xoxo,

Oh life

Forgive me while I go into Carrie Bradshaw mode, but sometimes a girl just wants to write. As I look back at my blog, I've come to the realization that I so tentatively tip-toe around what I'm truly feeling. Maybe I'm afraid that I'll be tuned out or become vulnerable or maybe I'm honesty afraid to even admit to myself my own worries and insecurities.

Eight months ago, in early December, I broke up with my boyfriend of 2.5 years on my journey to find myself. I knew it was the right thing to do, and still do, despite the pain that I caused both of us. But as I sit here nearly a year later, my self-discovery still hasn't quite hit me. Its lead me to a different city, one where I have no family or best friends and even no permanent job. Although I know in my heart that this has been the best (and only thing) that I've ever done for myself, some days I still question my own motives and His. Here I am, 15 hours away from my best friend, 13 hours away from my dad and at least 8 hours away from my mom and I'm struggling to find myself in a city that's, some days, still completely foreign. Did I come to a big, new city because deep down I knew it would be a distraction from my tumultuous thoughts? Maybe. But lately, even this fast-paced new world hasn't been enough to outrun myself.

I recently finished the book Riding the Bus with My Sister and some parts of it hit just a little too close to home. Namely the fact that I, like the main character, have a tendency of bogging myself down with tasks, jobs and structure in order to skirt around the worries that pervade my thoughts and tickle my emotions. But faster and faster I'm coming to the all too obvious conclusion that I will never have everything perfectly scheduled out to fit in my ideal life plans. Sometimes you don't land the job of your dreams. Sometimes you pour your heart out only to realize that old adage "If you love something let it go, If it comes back to you it's yours, If it doesn't, it never was" is true after all.

And sometimes, you just have to have a little faith.

Kindle - friend or foe?

I am, admittedly, a quintessential old soul. I know this, my friends know this, it's something I've long come to terms with. Although I love to keep abreast on the latest and greatest developments in the world (Web 2.0 and otherwise), at heart, I'm just a girl who was perhaps born in the wrong generation. I'll take a nice dinner with friends over bar-hopping any day of the week and my wardrobe tends to lean more on the J. Crew side than something uber trendy/revealing and I have a fondness for snail mail that will always exist. Call me crazy, I know.

Living in D.C., I've seen more and more people using the new Amazon Kindle. Although, even as an avid iPhone user, I just can't wrap my arms around this technology development. Sure it's useful and handy, but where's the warmth and comfort that comes when you open the pages of a beloved book? Where's the musty smell of the library or your favorite used book store when you first crack the spine of a favorite story? As a girl that goes through books like I'm devouring chocolate, I just can't imagine the relaxing into the stiffness this technology.

My good-friend, Gramercy Gas Light Girl, recently posted this link on the new wave of pirated e-books. I just find it hard to believe that this is what reading is coming to! I've come to the decision that I, too, like GGLG, am fundamentally opposed to this technology. It's almost heartbreaking to think that there's no more dog-eared pages or notes scribbled on favorite passages.


I mean, in all honesty, how comforting does this look? Coffee and a Kindle? I think not.

Oh the pages are a turnin'

Much to my delight, earlier this summer, the always lovely and witty CPK hosted a book swap. Now as an avid reader, a self proclaimed bookworm if you will, I of course had to jump on this opportunity asap. Paired with CPK herself, the wise woman sent over a memoir by Amy Cohen, The Late Bloomer's Revolution. The girl must be able to read my mind, because I could not put this book down! It was so endearing, funny and realistic at the same time that I nearly wanted to stay on the metro every day after work just to continue reading.

So, if you have not picked up this one yet, run off to your nearest Barnes & Noble or library and get your copy now! I guarantee you'll enjoy it too.



Anyone have any other great summer reads that I should add to my list?


Happy reading my dears!
AMS

You'll be loved like you never have know

Elie Wiesel, a Nobel Prize winner, Holocaust survivor, and author of the wonderful book Night once stated that "The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference." I have to say that over the years, I've reflected on this adage many a time, yet, I never quite understood it until now. In my post-break-up world, I realize that this is completely true and it captures exactly how I felt at the end of my last relationship- completely jaded and indifferent. I loved him, but now I don't feel anything, which I am now chalking up to indifference.

Love is a funny and fickle thing, capturing you when you least expect and leaving you all the better, because despite the circumstances, there's always something to learn.




xoxo
-ams