today I...

I am a little sad that my job is ending
It's been a long time coming but "unemployment" is a little scary
I am wishful..wanting to know all the answers
but I am trying to be content knowing that there has to be a plan for me
I am grateful for all the opportunities I've been given
and hope to always realize how lucky I am.
I am so blessed to have a loving, caring and wonderful family
their support and guidance have meant a great deal to me.
I wouldn't feel safe without them right now.
I really love Matthew.
He stayed up late editing my grad school essays with me and didn't complain once.
He means so much to me.
I am grateful for my life
and I'm going to try my hardest to accept the uncertainty
and dream of all the possibilities and somehow make them a reality.

Thank you to all my readers. You are the sweetest group of people and I'm so honored to be a part of your lives. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being here!

look book: all tied up

skirt American Apparel, t JCrew, shoes Aldo, sunglasses Tom Ford, belt random scarf,
ring compliments of Chelsea Gwynne

I'm sure many of you know the beautiful Chelsea Gwynne. She's an extremely talented accessories designer, who hand-makes the most lovely and avant-garde jewelry. She sent me this sweet little ring and I've been wearing it nonstop. Looking at it, I see a heart. Do you?

Today is spring break at the school {yay!} so I slept in a little too late..cough 11:30! I'm planning on doing a little spring cleaning, catching up on some shows {since I haven't watched TV since Friday!}, and maybe shopping for my brother's bday. What do you get a 21 year old guy who is so hard to shop for?! I'm thinking clothes haha
xox

guilty: anthro lust

top row: Blue Bird Blouse, Crossroads Button Down Shirt, Vanilla Bean Blouse
bottom row: Streamlined Kimono Cover-Up, Aniseed Skirt, Drifting By Dress

All I want to do right now is go shopping! The weather is so nice and I just want to wear these pretty things! I gave shopping up for Lent and it's been SO hard but I'm in the final week. It's been difficult but it was definitely a good thing for my wallet!

This weekend came and went too quickly. And nothing exciting happened! Saturday was all about doing taxes, which is never fun and Sunday I worked on these essays for grad school, also not fun. I'm excited though because this week is kind of short for me. It's spring break for my elementary school so Tuesday and Thursday are off! And then my last day working at the law firm is Wednesday. It's been a long time coming and while I'm sad to leave some of the people I know it's for the best. I have plans for lots of baking towards the end of the week because it's my brother's 21st birthday on Thursday and then Easter over the weekend. Sweets were another thing I gave up {almost impossible!} so I'm ready to satisfy my sweet tooth !

How was your weekend?
xox

one year ago..

We were in Hawaii on the beautiful island of Oahu!


Honestly it seems like SO long ago. So much has happened since then but looking at these pictures really brings me back to the amazing time we had. For Valentine's Day & our 1 year anniversary Matthew surprised me with tickets to Hawaii over my Spring Break. I'd never been before and I always wanted to go. The whole thing felt so unbelievable and it wasn't until we were there that it felt real.

I started this blog with a picture of the two of us in Hawaii..and Matthew holding a cane. I don't think I ever explained that story. One of the things Matthew really wanted to do in Hawaii was teach me how to surf. As nervous/scared as I was I agreed. We went out there amongst a ton of other surfers and trainers {it wasn't intense waves} and Matthew stepped on coral! He didn't think it was that bad but he was bleeding really badly. The bottom of his foot had one cut, that looked like a cheese grater {sorry but it's the best visual!}. The lifeguard wrapped him up and said to stay off it for a couple days and he should be fine. We listened to him and as much as I thought it would be best to go to a doctor Matthew refused. We treated it ourselves and two days later had to go in because it was infected! Poor Matthew had to stay off it, clean it and bandage it heavily twice a day AND stay out of the water. He even got a cane to help him walk. It was so sad because all this boy wanted to do was go in the water and surf. I felt so badly for him but we still had a great time and the surfing will have to happen on our next trip for sure!

A beautiful sunset on our first night there

Two of our friends met up with us on the second half of the trip

driving our Jeep with the top down on a rainy & very windy day!

spot the rainbow?

LOST is filmed on Oahu..can't you tell?

I'm just a Portuguese girl after some yummy Malasadas!

the gorgeous view from our hotel!

♥
This trip was so special for me and Matthew because we got a lot closer and had so much fun. We had such an amazing time exploring the island, dancing at a luau, looking for turtles, trying to find some good sushi, eating the most amazing Thai food from a truck {!}, daring him to swim in the water at midnight {before his injury}, making multiple runs to KMart {or whatever store that was} for sunblock, towels, cups, postcards, snacks and more sunblock! I realized that my life would be so incomplete without him and that he really makes everything better. Even with a hurt foot he was up for everything and I didn't mind him leaning on me on our walks. I can't wait until we're on those islands again!

Happy Friday everyone! It seems like it got here so fast but I'm glad it did!
xox

look book: pink/black

Alright I never really considered myself someone obsessed with pink but maybe I am! Looking at some of my most recent outfits I see pink pink pink!





sweater Madewell, dress Lucky Brand, belt and shoes JCrew

Two years ago for Christmas Elizabeth {my bff} gave our little group of besties {aka the Fab Four} our Sex and the City inspired "Name" Necklaces. I love how sweet and personal it is. And the fact that we all have one!

guilty: shoe lust

top row: Jeffrey Cambell C'est Moi, Faryl Robin Madison, Jeffrey Campbell Snick
bottom row: Where Laura Chisel Toe Flattie, Jeffrey Cambell Roller, Restricted Scrabble

I'm pretty much head over heels for these shoes right now. I just discovered Need Supply and I want almost everything on that site! I think all of these shoes are just perfect for Spring. Unfortunately I don't have this kind of a shoe budget. So for now I can just look at them and dream about how happy we could be together! Sigh

look book: after date walk with noodles

When Matthew told me he was going to be dog sitting for his boss I was ecstatic! You know me..I'm puppy obsessed. So this was a major treat! I always look forward to our Friday night date nights so this past Friday was doubly exciting since I got to see Noodles right after!

My boyfriend is so silly


It's so funny walking Noodles because he stops every 5 feet to sniff and tinkle! But he is such a smart dog..he knew where my house was and Matthew's apartment. I wish we could steal him from Matthew's boss every {or every other} weekend!

so handsome! {and wearing the tie clip I got him for our 2 year!}


jeans Gap, T American Apparel, blazer Yank, heels Enzo Angiolini, headband Forever, lipstick Lancome "Code Red"

weekend highlights

This was one of those weekends I am so sad to see go! I felt so productive and had such a great time. Maybe it helped that Matthew was dog sitting his boss's dog Noodles! {Isn't that the cutest name?} Here are some random pictures of the little things we did!

A sushi date night on Friday!

pink nails for the first day of Spring!

Grilled Cheese on my Dad's homemade bread, with celery root slaw and an avocado

Cuddling with Noodles

...while Matthew drills holes into the wall {don't tell his landlord!}

a morning walk

an afternoon drive {gotta love his teddy bear hair/fur!}

a sneak peek of a project I did in Matthew's apartment

fresh lettuce from the Farmers' Market

Greek yogurt with strawberries, honey and mint leaves for dessert!

a pooped out little Noodles!

Things not included above {thank goodness}: updated my resume, mailed back my old iMac, Matthew ordered a coffee table, mounted the TV and a "mantle," we hardly watched any TV {yay me!}, washed the dreaded "Hand Only" tops and sweaters, picked out some really pretty outfits for my Mom, and hung out with my dear sweet brother!

Matthew's apartment is finally coming together. He moved down in October so it took long enough, right? I'll have to share some pictures of the finished look next week.

Sigh back to Monday.

How was your weekend?
xox



P.S. This formspring thing has been surprisingly fun. I'm going to post and share some of my answers later this week. So.. any questions unanswered, I'll answer! I am incredibly grateful for all my sweet and lovely readers. Your support has really been incredible and I feel like I'm friends with so many of you. I want you all to get to know me better {if you want that is!} So ask away!