music monday :: hugo

Hope you all had a good weekend... I know I did! I had a job interview, saw The Script and One Republic for free with a good friend, relaxed, and watched some World Cup. I was also in the mood for a movie, but it was one of those nights where I just wanted to flip back and forth between channels and not commit. You know what's always on these days? No Strings Attached, with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. This is by far my favorite scene:

Hahaha... if you haven't seen the movie, you should just for this one hilarious part. My best friend and I quote it all the time. 

Anyway! What does this have to do with Music Monday? Well, you may recall in one of the movie scenes the guys are at a bar, and there's a band playing. They sing a really cool version of 99 Problems. It's Hugo, and he's pretty awesome.

This dude has an interesting background (acting in Thai soap operas, anyone?). But more than that, he's got a sound that sticks with you for days. Bluesy, rhythmic, sit on your back porch and sip lemonade vibes.

The world needs more of this.

what they wore :: denim shorts

I don't know about you, but I feel like summer shorts have taken a wrong turn. Since when does high waisted mean "your butt must be falling out"? And the other alternative is the same, super low rise with pocket liners showing because they are so short. Give me a break, it's not like I can wear that in public! (Fun fact: I cringe at those of you who do. It's really just not cute, you guys...)

I haven't had a decent pair of denim shorts besides knee-length cutoffs since I don't know when. Maybe when I was like, 13? So I am on the hunt for shorts that are not too short, but not too long either. I'm complicated. I do like shorter shorts, but not too short. You get me. The other hard part is that I don't want to pay $40 for a pair of shorts (I'm looking at you, American Eagle). My answer for good prices is usually H&M! Here are some styles I found from them that won't break the bank.

all photos via hm.com

All of these are available right now on H&M's website, and aren't more than $25 (if that). I call that a win! I've ordered a few pairs for myself, so we'll see how that works out. I'm afflicted with a weird part of me that hates trying things on, but also hates returning things. It often doesn't work out well.

If you have a favorite place to buy your shorts, let me know in the comments! 

the talk :: currently

Lately, this song is all I've been listening to in my car:

Don't hate, I love it.

In other news... a lot is happening around here this week. World Cup events + doctors appointments + girl's night + job interview + concert + birthdays + BUSY. But it makes for a good life, though no room for any more insanity. But I do need a haircut... maybe I can squeeze one more thing in :) Here are the best parts of right now:

+ celebrating my teacher friends reaching the end of the school year with sangria-swirled margaritas
+ finally purchasing a big barrel curling wand so my long hair can get right
+ buying friends legit birthday gifts that I know they will love
+ losing brain cells over The Bachelorette with girlfriends
+ plans to start a 90's cover band with Brooke (we're not kidding)
+ popsicles all day, every day
+ USA soccer... come on you Yanks! (Thursday, vs Germany!!)
+ going to the dentist and discovering I don't need another root canal
+ windows-open weather
+ my nails are longer than I've ever had them. MUST NOT BITE.
+ holding my friend's tiny baby. also, seeing a 6-foot tall man holding a tiny baby.
+ texting conversations about beer & hashtags
+ four words: work from home days
+ feeling optimistic about the future

and there you have it.

music monday :: first aid kit

You guys. The new First Aid Kit album is freakishly good. Magical vocals, great lyrics, folk and rock and good vibes. I've always liked them, but this record grabbed me in a new way. If you're looking for an album to fill up your summer, Stay Gold is the one. Promise!

throwback thursday :: beach recap

I spent this past weekend at the beach with my godson Lucas, his family, and a few friends. Lucas's dad Dan is my oldest college friend... it's almost been 10 years now! We only spent a semester at college together but became best buddies quickly. It's so cool to see him as a father! They live about two hours away from me currently, so I jumped on the chance to spend time with them when they invited me to the beach. We had a lot of fun, from staying up late and catching up to beach times and boardwalk adventures.

Dan is a pale ghost, so he had to stay covered up ;)

Lucas is just the best. He LOVES the beach.

we went to Dogfish Head in Rehoboth for Father's Day... samplers galore! (that 120 is no joke)

Lucas's first time on rides!

always my car buddy :) 

(PS that thing around his shoulder is a wooden snake. he loves making hiss noises.)

we did the carousel together!

his blurry "CHEESE!" face haha and that starfish is a really heavy doorstop. go figure.

in love with this for the name & graphics alone!

before heading home. he was exhausted but gave me the sweetest hug and kiss.

a photo snapped by Britt's MIL. love that she captured this haha

Can't wait for another visit! 

what they wore :: bonlook

If you know me, you know I've basically been blind since forever. I started wearing glasses in elementary school and advanced to contacts in middle school. Ever since then, I've strictly worn contacts. Glasses never interested me much... if you look at old photos, you'll understand why! (Nerd alert.) I had the same pair of glasses tucked away in a drawer for years before I realized that they could actually be cute once in a while, and are now super trendy.

So last year I started shopping around for a new, updated, with-the-times pair! Luckily, it's fairly easy to order a new pair of glasses with your prescription online today, and to get reimbursed by insurance (if you're covered). I was so thankful that it was a breeze! I checked out a few sites before deciding on Bonlook. I liked a lot of their styles and colors, and though it took me a while to decide, I could easily check out how the frames looked on my face right on their website. I uploaded my picture and did a virtual try-on, which was awesome and accurate. They give you the frame measurements as well, so you can kind of tell how they will fit your face besides the pictures. And it's crazy easy to enter your prescription information, which the site saves for next time so you won't have to figure it out all over again. Plus, if I didn't like the ones I chose, their return system seemed easy and effective (though I haven't had to use it). The fun part: my glasses were shipped to me in a box of sparkly confetti and a Dum-Dum lollipop. Holy cuteness!

My first frames that I bought a year ago are the McQueen (no longer available). 

I knew I wanted a pair of typical hipster-looking glasses with black frames. Those have served me well and gotten me a lot of compliments! They look cute even when I'm sitting around in leggings and a t-shirt-- they add a pinch of style to my laziness ;) While I didn't need a second pair, I found myself browsing Bonlook's site last week for the first time since I bought the McQueen and I found the Sweet Tooth. Those frames in Crystal Sand grabbed me immediately and I knew I had to have them! The fade-to-pink color is so cute and a great alternative to when I don't want to wear the dramatic black frames. They are coming to my doorstep today and I can't wait to try them on! (Fingers crossed they don't look ridiculous!) 

I'm officially a glasses convert! What are your favorite brands?

images via bonlook.com

the talk :: USA!!!

After a long, lovely beach weekend, I'm back to reality! I'll do a weekend recap later in the week, but for now, let me just take a second to talk about the USA vs Ghana WC game last night. I met up with my best friend and her husband at the beach, and then we hung out with some of our old college friends by our alma mater for the game. Perfect, since it was on my way home anyway. I don't think anyone expected the game to go the way it did -- a goal in the first minute AND a win (despite lack of possession and a couple injuries). It was a great end to my weekend and I can't wait for the upcoming games! Next up: Portugal. Fingers crossed we can do it again!

Love these friends!

I forgot to pack my red hair, so alicia had to represent both of us :)

Fans filling up the bar... the poor bartender was not prepared for everything that was coming her way. (Tip your bartenders well if you're watching a game, they work really hard!)

Overall, we had a great time leading the chants, screaming our lungs out, and just being together in one happy USA supporting community. So much fun and there's more to come!

friday favorites :: weekend plans

Isn't my best friend lovely? This is the start of our weekend as of last night... a fun World Cup night with American Outlaws Annapolis. So fun!

This weekend I am having a sleepover with my girlfriends (maybe the last one before Tricia gets married last month!!), possibly doing brunch (my love language), then heading to the beach until Monday! Coincidentally, my best friend and her husband will be coming to the beach Monday, so I may meet up with them for the USA v Ghana game that night. Always a good time at the beach... I never want to come home! 

I'm feeling a lot better about life this week and I hope that feeling stays. I have been going through so much discontent and discouragement this month, so I'm ready to kick that to the curb!

Now I'm off to eat mac & cheese and finish up some work... enjoy your weekend!

throwback thursday

pretending to buy puppies // snuggling baby Evie // grill night // a beef jerky love text // peachy pink nails // random wine bar times // jelly shoes // the sweetest giant pup // banana chocolate smoothie

all things that are good.

what they wore :: maxi dresses

I know, I'm behind on the maxi dress craze. Here's why: I never found one I liked! I loved all the ones I saw on my friends. I envied strangers from afar. But I never saw one that I wanted. I tried one on once. It didn't fit right, so naturally, I gave up. :)

My weird thing about maxi dresses is that I want them to be looooong. Longer than my ankles. I want it to come all the way down to my feet, if not past. Most of the maxis I've found stop too short for my taste. Then my 6 foot tall roommate bought a maxi skirt. It looked great on her! I couldn't get over how this beautiful, tall girl found a skirt that looks appropriately long on her. I decided to give maxis another shot.

Almost by accident yesterday, I stumbled upon the maxi dress section at Target. I was surprised to find not one, but two dresses that I loved!

The bottom one is perfect for a summer wedding I have next month. I am playing guitar and it can be tricky to find a dress that works. I don't trust strapless to stay up (especially with a guitar strap on, which can move things around), and I don't like to wear too short of a dress while I'm standing up in front of everyone. This was the perfect solution! I can't wait to dress it up. The other one I just really loved and wanted for a fun night out. Maybe I'll wear it to dinner at the beach this weekend!

I'll be on the hunt for more casual options like this:

Because who can resist a good stripe?

Where do you get your favorite maxis from?

all images via target.com.

the talk :: why growing up is the greatest

via weheartit

Do you ever stop and think about how wonderful it is that you are an adult and can do whatever you want?  I often do. It's the little things that make your mid-twenties (or older) that much greater. I give you...

my top ten list of reasons why growing up is the greatest:

1. You can make a whole frozen pizza just for you. I mean, you can share with your friends if you want. But mostly, you could just eat the whole thing yourself.
2. You can watch Netflix until 2 AM with no judgment. You have to get up for work at 6? Who cares! One more episode of Freaks & Geeks won't kill you.
3. You can drive wherever you want, whenever you want. Spontaneous trips, bailing on work early, getting a random pedicure, hitting up the library, unplanned happy hour, staying out late... ALL THINGS.
4. You can take a real vacation with friends instead of family. I know people still love taking trips with their families. That's cool. But I like trips with my friends more, and since I'm an adult, I can take one any time I want and do whatever I feel like doing.
5. You make all the decisions. Sometimes this one can be tricky... if you're like me, you don't know where you're ending up in life, especially career-wise. But I get to make those choices and hopefully life will turn out great! (And only get input when I decide I want it.)
6. Eating breakfast for dinner and other such ideas. I had a Popsicle before dinner the other day, too.
7. You can finally be interested in things your parents never let you do. Like play guitar (me) or live in another country for a year (my friend Emily) or paint your walls bright purple (my roommate + our kitchen).
8. You can get a pet that you've always wanted! Dog, cat, iguana, hedgehog, snail... I don't know what you like. But now you can get one :)
9. Shopping and spending as much money as you care to. $200 for one Target trip is not unheard of...
10. Living with your friends and having the time of your life. Or, getting married and living with that person. OR, living by yourself with your dog! Basically, living however you want!

And there you have it-- this week I'm going to spin class, having a sleepover with my girlfriends, going out dancing, getting a two-hour massage, and heading to the beach for the weekend. (#11 - you'll sleep when you're dead!)

music monday :: from the blog world

Over the weekend, I saw an example of blog musicianship that was too good to pass up. Do you guys read The Secret Life of Bee? This chick (Bri) is so cool. I mean, really. I laugh hilariously at the videos she makes while driving in her car (safely, of course), and her daily take on life. Why don't we live closer so we can be good friends? Ugh. 

The point here is that she is a really talented singer. Luckily, so are her sisters. This gem was posted over the weekend and I thought, "wouldn't it be cool if they could one day sing at my wedding?" I concur that it would be fabulous.

And here are some others (via Bri's YouTube because I am a stalker):

I'm a singer too, but I don't have the siblings like she does! Amazing talent. Visit Bri's blog and search for more of her videos there!

what they wore :: TWICE

This is a day late on account of feeling awful this week and not knowing why... I've taken three hour naps every day after work. (I never nap. Ever.) Feeling a bit better today, so here's your belated WTW post!

Have you checked out Twice yet? It's basically an online thrift store, but for specific brands (JCrew, Banana Republic, Kate Spade, etc.) The best part is that while you are getting deals on gently used clothes (for much cheaper), you can sell your own clothes to Twice and get some cash! One of my friends got $50 for some clothes she sold. Not bad, huh?

I haven't tried it yet because I just donated some clothes and there isn't anything else I'm parting with, but you should jump on this one! Sign up and you get a $10 credit. Happy online thrifting!