lady chirps a lot

On green.

2013-05-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

You all may remember how many grey samples I had to buy to find the right one for our living/dining/hallway area. If not, I will tell you- approximately 12. I would link back to the original post, but all of those pictures are gone, so the effect isn't as great simply reading about it. At any rate, for the kitchen I was determined to do some sort of darker color, and in the end I decided on

Life changes. Also: kitchens.

2013-04-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Oh hi guys!! Remember me? The little blogger that could? No? Well, that's ok, too. Well if you do, you may also remember how I had that job that I was super unhappy at? Well I quit last week, and I couldn't be happier! It was about a month sooner than I was planning on, but there were straws, and broken camels' backs, and all sorts of other reasons that I needed to get out sooner rather than

Fem.

2013-03-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

My new goal is to put up at least one blog post per week. We'll see how I do, won't we? Every spring I find myself getting giddy at really pretty, feminine interiors. They aren't necessarily designs I would have in my own home (mainly because of that whole "Joseph" thing), but they still make my heart go all pitter-patter, and I find myself figuring out ways to fem up my space without going

New-trals.

2013-03-15T09:28:00.001-07:00

I would just like to point out that when I said yesterday that I only got out of my neutral rut by losing weight, I in no way meant that you had to lose weight to wear colors! I really hope it didn't come off like that; I started thinking about it and worrying it might've. I want EVERYONE to be jazzy; my weight gain just happened to be the reason that I personally was in a battle against color.

Jazzy.

2013-03-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

I may be too busy to blog regularly, but I'm never too busy to shop. And I've really been trying to step outside my comfort zone a tiny bit with what I wear; maybe wear colorful shoes when I do black top and jeans, or a cardigan with a pattern instead of a solid. I know, I know: really small changes, and nothing in particular to write home about, but still. For instance, today I put on a black

CORRECTION

2013-02-27T12:54:00.001-08:00

Thanks for not showing me pictures of Oscars after-party dresses until just recently, internet. Amy Adams's after-party dress kicked her ceremony dress's huge patootie in a major way. Oh Oscar de la Renta, what a fine, fine creation you have given us indeed. I am so thrilled that there is 20s deco inspiration everywhere. This dress now takes my cake for best one of the night, hands down.

Wearability

2013-02-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

It's kind of a terrible word, amirite? When I interned at an advertising agency we had to work with Bud Light's whole "Drinkability" campaign, but in Spanish (ugh, Bebidabilidad). I just don't think you can really throw an "ability" onto the end of any old word and make it a thing (says the girl who loves her portmanteaus, mind you). That being said...Narciso Rodriguez's Fall 2013 collection

Eye candy, designer-style.

2013-02-25T10:07:00.000-08:00

I won't win any awards for pointing out the obvious, but I'll share my faves from the red carpet nonetheless. I mean, who doesn't like to look at pretty things multiple times? I clocked Amy Adams in at #2 best-dressed. Her Oscar de la Renta somehow managed to be over the top and subtly glamorous at the same time; probably due to the lovely dove grey of it. This shot shows how gorgeous her

Condo recap, part I.

2013-02-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

I am going to try to go through some old blog posts and reupload some pictures; I know I don't have anything mind-blowing on here, but it's been my little work respite for a couple of years now and I am so sad that Blogger still hasn't responded about fixing the site. At any rate, I loved being able to see the condo before and afters really easily, so that's where I'm going to start. Since

Wedding Wednesday!

2013-02-06T12:24:00.001-08:00

As much as I've been seriously discouraged by Blogger's somehow taking down all of my pictures, I miss blogging! So I shall press on, and hopefully have some future success. For now I've thrown this random free background on; enjoy! My awesome new coworker, Jessica, used to work for Brides magazine, and she got me a subscription to it, which is REALLY FUN! No more perusing in the checkout

Curves, semi-formal style.

2013-01-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday, chirplettes! Is it just me or does today really seem like it should be Friday? At any rate, I had a request to do a post on cocktail dresses for the curvier among us, so I went to ye olde internet and found some gawgeous frocks to share. I know I'm not plus-size, but for a couple of years I did carry around about 20 pounds more than I do now, so I do have some understanding of

Wedding break.

2013-01-15T10:04:00.003-08:00

I'll admit something that doesn't need admitting considering how obvious it is: I can't stop thinking about weddings. My brain is all wedding, all the time. Except when it's physiology. Then it's physiology, wedding, wedding, physiology, sandwich. Anyhow, so the Golden Globes were a welcome distraction! It's still in the same vein considering I'm looking at gorgeous gowns, but you get where

Enfianced!

2013-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

First off, let me just say: LAJCEILALEIWHWLIHAWLEIAHWELWI! Secondly, I've had many requests for the story, and so that's what today's post is about! Ask and you shall receive. Let's start with a bit of history- I'll try not to get too long-winded, but I can't promise anything. Joseph and I started dating when I was 16 and he was 17. We were each other's first serious boy/girlfriend,

Birthday treats.

2013-01-04T12:48:00.001-08:00

It's my birthday on Tuesday (the big 2-7, an age that means absolutely nothing!), and Anthro had the audacity to send me a 15% coupon. How dare they?! They know I need to be squirreling money away right now, and then they do a thing like this. I'm absolutely furious. You might say I'm seeing red. Mainly because I'm now seriously eyeing this dress: here Although let's be honest,

Resolving, etc.

2013-01-03T09:40:00.004-08:00

Just a few random bits about my life right now. My first thought when faced with the idea of a new year's resolution was, "I have too many plans for a resolution!" 2013 is, hopefully, going to be a very big year for me (school and career-wise), and there is so much about to be on my plate that I'm more than a little nervous about it. Last night after Joseph left for soccer, I started

Post-Christmas

2012-12-26T10:26:00.001-08:00

Working from home; more specifically: the Bastrop cabin. Vantage point: I call this one Still Life with Seester: Santa left his reindeer outside: And for fun, a shot of my nephew from a few days ago. He looks better in my sunglasses than I do, it's true. I don't know if I'm blessed or just lucky, but does it really matter one way or the other?

PIE!

2012-12-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

Of the chicken pot variety, more specifically! Nothing says comfort food better than a good chicken pot pie, methinks. I made one last night, and it was so delicious that I have to share! The original recipe is here, but I tweaked it like so (not much tweaking, just a bit more ingredients): <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal.dotm 0 0 1 178 856 Greenleaf Book Group 17 6

Mantels mantels mantels

2012-12-19T09:24:00.002-08:00

When Joseph and I were looking for a place to buy, we very not-so-secretly wanted a fireplace. I realize that in Austin, Texas, having a fireplace is a little bit ridiculous, but still. Also, given that fall and winter are my favorite seasons, and that I have always wanted a mantel of my own to decorate, I was pretty fixated on the idea. Now that the holiday season is here, I realize that I

Happiness is...

2012-12-18T13:38:00.002-08:00

Santa Rampage with the people you love: An almost-complete corner fireplace in Bastrop in a freaking bathroom: And Christmas decorations, also in Bastrop!: Joseph and I went out on Saturday to help Mom put everything up, and we did a great job, if I do say so myself. I even climbed up on a REALLY tall ladder to hang a wreath and place a gold metal tree over the television area

Oh, Chreestmas Tree!

2012-12-10T10:58:00.004-08:00

Or, "Oh Holiday Tree", to be p.c. Have I mentioned how much I adore the holiday season? Because I do. I love love love it! Curling up on the couch with a book and a blanket, peacoats and boots, being lucky enough to be able to see my family in Bastrop? Yes, pretty please. And that first part- the part about curling up on the couch with a book and a blanket (well, and a boyfriend, obviously

Living room, part...three?

2012-12-04T09:10:00.002-08:00

I'm not sure what iteration of mine and Joseph's living room we are on, but I think maybe it's three. The new couch is in, and we decided to get a coffee table that was easier to move around and get beat up than the antique chest we had been using. The chest is my first antique that I got, so I want it to last for as long as possible (it's now at the end of our bed. Pics tomorrow). Since we (I

Bastrupstairs!

2012-12-03T11:53:00.001-08:00

Let's continue our cabin journey, oui? Upstairs, we find my oldest brother, Steve, and his wife Tammy's room: Then mine and Joseph's room, which still needs some bedside tables and such but I absolutely love. Mom let me pick out my own bedding, and this grey and lavender Restoration Hardware spoke to me. "Buy me!", it said. And we did. In one corner is an amazing antique

Bastrop: Up Close and Personal with the Downstairs

2012-11-30T10:13:00.001-08:00

I really can't express how excited I was to see the Bastrop house last night (I've been knocked for calling it a cabin, which is probably valid). It's so surreal that the new house is there, and it's difficult to explain why. Walking in, I still expected it to be the old house, and even though this one is new and improved, it's obviously still very, very bittersweet. It's easy to get over any

A few updates:

2012-11-27T13:07:00.002-08:00

1) I must've gained at least 3 pounds in the past week. Go Thanksgiving! And now, go go gadget motivation! 2) Our new couch came in! Quick non-styled shot: Shot plus bah-friend: It is, quite possibly, the best couch ever. Huge, comfy but firm, gorgeous but practical. And 3) The Bastrop cabin is livable!! It isn't done-done by any means, but it is oh-so-very close. Mom and Dad

Sparkle time!

2012-11-15T09:47:00.001-08:00

A simple post today, really. Why do I want this? And does it matter why? And also, is it too weird for me to throw a Selena-themed birthday bash so that I am obligated to buy this? I would very much appreciate your feedback.