Peace

project life | NYC, the start

In honor of our recent trip to the Big Apple, I thought I would dedicate a post to my newest memory keeping project: a NYC travel album.

title page, front
New York is our favorite city in the world. We have visited there at least once, sometimes 3X(!), every year since 2001. I have been wanting to create an album (or 2) solely for the photos and memories we have made but wasn't sure how to start.

I've been so loving the process of scrapbooking Project Life-style, that it finally occurred to be that I could totally make a theme album this way as well. I already have created a number of layouts about New York in our "Happy Travels" album, but now they will be in their own album with more pages made of divided page protectors instead of full 12x12 ones.


title page, back
I have so many ideas swirling in my head as to how to approach this album, but for now my goal is to create pages for individual things we may have done one particular year (like celebrating my best friend's 40th birthday in 2010) but also combine photos from multiple years of things we like to do every visit (like shop in Soho or eat at Hampton Chutney). Now if only I have 5 more hours everyday just to create!

the brown dress

dress: ABS / shoes: Payless / sunnies: Gucci / necklace: gift'd
Over the course of my  outfit documentation these past few years, I have noticed one trend in my closet - I love pretty dresses and tend to keep them for long periods of time.


I bought this one specifically to wear to our rehearsal dinner, many moons ago.


And it's made it to many other special occasions.


I am happy to have found a way to make it work in my everyday life wardrobe these days. 

project life | week 8

Totally addicted to this project. With all the inspiration around the internet and instagram, I love it more every week!


Last week's full spread also included on little insert.


I love writing little stories from the week.


We received a birth announcement of a dear friend's 2nd little girl. I use to keep all my cards, etc with the plan of "doing something" with them later, only to never do that something. Now I have a place to store and display them immediately!


The card was about 5x5 so I used a 6x6 page protector. Since I don't have a sewing machine I improvised and stapled the card directly to the protector so it looks a bit like it's floating in the book and I could add some confetti (confetti use inspired by gluestick girl!


Last week the Nikon was used to take DD's 11 month photos. But generally my photos have been snapped with my iPhone and since they are being printed so small, I am loving the quality. But I also love the effect of an enlarged photo across the page, which was totally inspired by KP.

As corny as it sounds, this project has really made me realize that the little moments in our life are worth celebrating. And 10 years from now we are going to love to see what we did everyday, because I am sure things will change! Blogging is similar; wouldn't  you love to have a daily reminder of what you wore 10 years ago?

Favorite jeans

top: Anthro / cardi: M+O /jeans: Rock and Republic / shoes: Converse / jewelry: Collignon Designs

We had a very short weekend filled with yoga, food and driving. I need another day to get caught up with regular errands but unfortunately that's not happening.


I have had these jeans for years and love them. I hope I will love them forever!


This tank is another layering top with fun texture. Now off to decide what to wear today...

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{photo from Flickr}
R.I.P. Whitney. Your voice will be sorely missed.

Wearing a little

everything remix'd but shirt
shirt&skirt: J. Crew
shoes: 9West
earrings: Collingnon Designs, gift'd
necklace: F21
belt: Anthro
bag: LV

I bought this shirt in the middle of the summer but it's been too hot to wear anything with sleeves until now. It's my nod to the chambray shirt trend without being too much. Yes, I know I am behind. I take my time before I decide if I like a trend or not.


Lucky for me, pencil skirts are timeless and not trendy. Although I the ones at J.Crew are a bit pricey, the definitely wear and fit well.

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R.I.P. S.J. Your creativity and vision will be missed.

Pass the pink please

all item remix'd
top: Anthro
pants: Express
shoes: 9West
earrings: gift'd
necklace: Collingnon Designs
bracelets: Banana, Calypso for Target

Is it weird that I actually own 3 different types of pink pants? These are the only pair that are really work appropriate but I just realized this fact. I guess if you know me, it's not really that weird.


These pants have been with me for 6+ years. They are still in great condition and, thankfully, still fit well.


I bought them in '05 and wore them to a couple rehearsal dinners that summer, so they have a lot of good memories associated with them. I think I didn't wear them for a few years after but I am so glad I kept them. I guess building a lifelong wardrobe will include different types of staples for different people; mine will always have some pink pants!

Week in photos

Observations for the week:


Cafe Express is a good substitute for a coconut stand to get yoga peeps together after practice.


I really need to cook more at home. Better food, less expensive and we tend to eat less too.


I wish I had an excuse to buy this hot pink coat!


This face is cuter and cuter everyday. He is also going to be crawling very soon; I can feel it!


My closet used to have a floor, but somehow my shoes have multiplied. They are like rabbits, I guess.


Joe wonders where his pizza is. This is probably the smallest pizza we have ever ordered from Collina's, a local Italian restaurant.


We remember.

Always remember...

No sleeves please

The buzz around the fashion/style blogosphere seems to be the upcoming fall season and fashion. Unfortunately here down south wearing layers is months away. I always crack up when I see sweaters and jackets on display at stores - I can hardly even think about wearing anything with sleeves right now!


all items remix'd
top: Theory
shorts: Gap
shoes: Dolce Vita
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings: Collingnon Designs, gift'd
cuff: Tiffany's, gift'd
chains: Calypso for Target
bag: LV, gift'd

This is another top I decided to wear after seeing Linda, a fellow Texan blogger, wear the dress version. It is another oldie but goodie:

Here I am wearing it during our trip to Ibiza back in 2008.


These shorts are not quite as old, purchased in 2009. I have been favoring shorter shorts this summer compared to last but bermudas are a good length when going to dinner so your thighs don't stick to the chair. :)

Sometimes it pays to be a hoarder

all items remix'd
top: Anthro
skirt: Nordstrom (old)
shoes: Ann Klein
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings&cuff: gift'd
bag: LV

I bought this skirt in 2005 to wear to a dear friend's wedding. I think I wore it exactly once. I never gave it away because it fit so well and had such a darling print, but I never knew when to wear it and the length was a bit odd...so I thought.

Fastforward 6 years later...with the Mad Men style revival, longer lengths and ladylike styles are more popular now. The skirt still fits perfectly, is lined and comfortable and matches a new top exactly! This is almost like having a new skirt without shelling out the cash.


Here I am at the aformentioned wedding, with my two besties from high school. We still see each other once a year even though we live on opposite ends of the country. And I could probably wear the same exact outfit today and be okay. Timeless style and timeless friends are always good things.

Happy Friday! I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend full of a whole lotta nothin'. And by nothin' I mean reading and catching up on my blogroll :)

So old it's new

I sometimes wish I took outfit photos back in the 80s and 90s just to see what I thought looked good back then! Some things I am sure would look completely dated, and some things, like this dress below would not.


all items remix'd
dress: Benetton
cardi: Loft
shoes: Ann Taylor
earrings: gift'd
necklace: M+O
belt: H&M

I am quite sure that this dress is one the oldest articles in my wardrobe that I still wear on a consistent basis, especially since I started documenting my outfits. I mean, who really shops at Benetton these days? I remember why I bought it: to attend a wedding with my not-sure-if-I-should-call-him-boyfriend-now-husband, so I have a lot of fond memories associated with it. That was back in 1999! Now I feel old. :) Do you have any pieces of clothing that you especially love because of the memories tied with wearing it?


Even though the heat index here in H-town is around 110degrees, inside office buildings can feel like icebergs. So light layers can be useful.

TGIF!

Goodbye and good riddance!

2010 was not my favorite year. We definitely experienced a few hiccups along the way. I do have a feeling that 2011 will be a better one.

That said, things weren't all bad.

A few highlights: our friends got married, we went skiing, we went to PV for the 2nd time, we boated on Lake Livingston, we celebrated a surprise pink birthday, we celebrated a 40th birthday, our cousin got married, we celebrated a 40th birthday in NYC, we said goodbye to Grandpa K, we watched a lot of Project Runway, we had Thanksgiving and Christmas at home.

Have a safe and happy New Year's celebration!

Top Ten

I thought I'd step on the list-making bandwagon going around the bloggy-world with my top 10 favorite looks from this year.


1. From February. I love the layers, the colors, the sunnies and the boots!


2. Also from Feb. Um, pink and black, sign me up!


3. From March and November. This is the one maxi dress I own and I absolutely adore, especially because I tend to wear in when on vacation at the beach.


4. From April. I like the cool vibe and drapiness here.


5. Also from April. My favorite top paired with my favorite pants. I have a lot of hair here!


6. From May. Using a summer dress for work. I love that this dress is over 10 years old but still looks good.


7. From June. Nothing makes me happier than head-to-toe pink!


8. From July. A great dress from Loft.


9. From October. A great dress from Anthro.


10. From December. Vintage jewelery, Gucci platforms, and a hot hubby. What more could a girl need?