for a friend.

I believe that my friends deserve the absolute best. Don't you? Their happiness is of the utmost importance to me -- because they've been there for me through the best and worst times. They've known me for most of my short life and we're still the best of friends, even though we landed in different places and have to make rare trips to Coldstone to catch up on each others' lives. So it's obvious that I want the absolute best for my friends, need the absolute best for my friends. Here's to a good friend of mine.

I wish I could find him for you, that guy. I wish I could tell him that I know the perfect girl for him and he'll chuckle and tell me he's been waiting. You'll start dating and it will be perfect. He'll buy you flowers on a Monday, and not because it's your birthday, or even your six month anniversary, but just because he loves you. He'll remember important dates like the anniversary of your first kiss. And he'll tell you to put on his favorite dress so he can take you out for dinner to celebrate. He'll tell you to get the wine, if you want it. And then he'll take you out for ice cream, because we all know it's your vice.

He'll dance with you in the street, and he'll appreciate your years of training, your superb form and talent. He'll love your friends (obviously) and he'll go to Coldstone with us, pushing tables together so we can all hear each others' pointless stories. But they won't be pointless to him because they aren't pointless to us.

He'll be in love with your family and his family will adore you. His friends will wonder how he got so darn lucky and he'll just smile because he wonders, too. He'll give you kisses on the forehead and he'll sit through the romantic comedy (and enjoy it) because it's what you wanted. He'll even sneak in a candy bar because it's more fun than buying from the concessions.

And at the end of the day, everything you've gone through will be worth it. Because he's worth it, and he always has been. I wish this and so much more for you.

*image.

on graduating (to cohort 76).

I am on the cusp of graduating, so close I can almost touch it. It feels unreal, to be honest. I don't feel like I have any business graduating, as I still feel like the 18-year old I was when I first started college. My first couple years here were tough. I felt very much like a stand in to a life where I didn't belong. It feels sad to type that now and I wish I could give my freshman self a big hug and tell myself everything will be okay, because it is now.

I started my core education courses at the start of my junior year in college. Our program is set up so that you take classes with a cohort, which is just an odd and fancy way of describing a small group of students who take all their academic courses together. There were 25 of us. I was nervous on that first day because I knew I would be spending a great deal of time with these people and I really, really needed them to be my friends. Why? Because I didn't have many. There, I said it. I had one or two really great friends and other than that, I felt like a girl out at sea all by herself. That's really, truly what I felt like.

(Disclaimer: I had great friends at home, but they lived far from my school, so I felt lonely. They still offered me a world of support, though. And Jeffrey was a lovely support, too. He really was.)

On top of that, I had a big band aid on my face from a little spot I had to have removed a few days before. On my face. On the first day of courses with people I did not know, but would be spending a great deal of time with for the next two years. I'm not sure exactly what I thought was going to happen, but I guess it was something like these people won't like me because I have a band aid on my face, which is really dumb now that I think about it. Anyway, sometimes we're irrational as human beings and I can't explain my thought process, but there you have it. A band aid on your face means you will not have friends, no questions asked.

Well, a sweet and kind person (named Lucie) proved me wrong right from the get-go. She sat down next to me, and is it too unbelievable to tell you that right then and there I knew we were going to be forever friends? Because I knew it, folks, I really did. Who knows what we were talking about, but does it matter because HELLO, THERE WAS SOMEONE TALKING TO ME EVEN THOUGH I HAD A BAND AID ON MY FACE!?!! So, my theory about the human-repellant band aid was blown clear out of the water immediately, and then a lovely, curly-headed girl (named Jenn) joined us as well, and she was sweet as pie, too. (I knew education was the best major there ever was, Amen.)

And I am here to tell you that it just kept getting better. These people liked me! They cared about things I care about! They were interested in my life, my opinions, what I ate for lunch! They really, truly were. And it wasn't just the two girls that befriended me on that very first day (although we are still the best of friends and for that I am truly thankful), it was the entire cohort; all 25 of them! I kid you not, these were all nice and kind and gentle people who cared about me and not about the band aid living on my face.

All this nonsense about band aids is simply to say that I am mere weeks from graduating with a degree in education and all of the people who have gone through this program with me probably don't know just how much their friendship meant (means!) to me.

Every. Single. One. Of. Them.

They changed my life and I mean that with every fiber of my being. What it all comes down to is this: If you feel excluded or left out or like an outcast simply because you have not found your niche, please do not worry or think it has anything to do with you. I am here to tell you that you will find like-minded people and they will remind you that humanity is good, that friendships are strong and beautiful, and that it is unacceptable to be anyone but yourself.

So, thank you to Cohort 76 for the love and support you have offered me over the last two years and the love and support you will continue to offer in the future. You have meant more to me than I could ever express and you will go out into the world, teach with all your hearts, and you will make a difference. And if you ever feel discouraged or small, please remember that you have already made a world of difference in one person's life — mine.

our meet cute, part two.

Well, I've been avoiding the second half of this post for the entire day. Mostly because I've been incredibly busy, but also because it's really hard to remember just the way everything happened, and I want to do our story justice by getting all the small details right. I'm sure you understand.

So. Here goes nothing. Jeffrey and a good friend of his kept asking me to hang out with them. I obviously was into Jeffrey, so I happily obliged. It was fun. I liked hanging out with Jeffrey and his two best friends, but I was (still am) painstakingly shy, so it was hard for me to be myself around them. I wondered if I was ruining things for myself, so I made a change. I started being bold, saying things that I normally would reserve for only my closest friends, and laughing, uninhibited, at things that were funny. It was freeing. One particular night (I couldn’t tell you which one) Jeffrey admitted to liking me while we were on AIM. I remember running out into the porch, where my mom and aunt were sitting, and doing a little happy dance. I was soaring.

Fast forward a few weeks. Jeffrey and his friends were going on a trip to Michigan to stay with another of their best friends. Since Jeffrey confessed that he liked me (and I confessed right back) we had gone on a few dates, most of them awkward. Neither of us had been in a relationship before, so I think that had everything to do with it. Anyway. The trip to Michigan. We were talking the night before he left, and it happened. He asked me to be his girlfriend. I was overjoyed. I’m pretty sure I blushed even though no one could see me. Of course, I said yes. I ran and told my family right away. Now I'm going to skip some parts, mostly because they're uninteresting. So, Jeffrey's back from his trip and I'm getting ready to leave for mine. I went on a trip to New York City with my family. The night before we left, Jeffrey kissed me on my front porch. We often joke that one of us had to leave the state for anything monumental to happen. I remember driving to the airport the next morning and whispering to my sister that Jeffrey had kissed me. It was the most perfect first kiss, and I was happy. The rest, as they say, is history. Jeffrey and I continued to get closer, spent more time together, and eventually fell in love.

I love our relationship for many reasons. But, perhaps, one of my favorite reasons is because before Jeffrey and I were together, we had never been in any other relationship. It has meant so much to me to be in only one relationship with one person. I’m not saying that that works for everyone, but it worked for us. And, it’s still working. I appreciate and love all the people who have been there for me throughout our journey together. It has been friends and family that have supported me, helped me, given me advice, and the courage to go after the things I really wanted. And, Jeffrey has absolutely played a huge role in that. When I met Jeffrey I also met my best friend, confidant, and everything in between. His love means the world to me, and then some.

Phew! Sorry about the length of this story, but I've never really been short-winded. Well, I believe that's enough cheese for one night. xo, R.

(And the wonky font is staying because it's impossible to fix!)

The Quirk Project (No. 6)

Well, that was a trying weekend! Not moving on, but moving ahead. On another note, I did something sort of sneaky. This weekend I emailed some of my favorite bloggers ( with the exception of a few of you because I couldn’t find your emails. Christina, I’m talking to you. ;) ) and asked them if they’d like to participate in the Quirk Project. Well, I’ve done this project once before, and one day I just stopped. People stopped sending me their quirks and life took center stage. Well, not anymore. I told life that I wanted it to share the stage with the Quirk Project. Life agreed. Reagan emailed me her quirks and I was thrilled. Reagan’s blob is a source of great joy for me. She’s funny, cute, and her daughter, Piper (who she lovingly calls Pip — how cute!) is adorable and makes me smile. Then, she told me she wanted to be blog friends and I about died. YES! I love new blog friends! Another thing: if I lived in NYC, she’d be my permanent hairdresser. Get over there, and check her blob out! So here are Reagan's quirks. No surprise that I love them. I love all the lists I've been sent. Send me yours. Find details here.

Reagan's Quirks

1-Dancing in public. When I hear music, my legs/hair/arms cannot contain themselves. Street musicians, clothes stores, in the car..anywhere. Jake gets embarrassed.

2-I make up and sing songs about daily tasks..."Washing the dishes because they don't have arms to wash themseeeeellllves". Maybe it's because I still don't like cleaning/chores, but since it's not acceptable to have a messy apartment all the time, I have to entertain myself.

3-Clumsiness in general. Yesterday I tripped up an escalator. Something you don't even have to move your body to use. I landed on both hands and a guy behind me saw my panties.

4-I'm obsessed with little things. Especially things that are supposed to be big, but have been made tiny for no reason at all. Once I accidentally kissed a mini jar of honey at a farmer's market because it was tiny and adorable.

5-I always know the words to strange songs played in supermarkets, elevators and diners. And I don't know how I know most of them. Jake thinks it's amazing because I don't know the words to any of the real songs that most people know, like Christmas songs.

6-I love to swear. I don't swear really when I'm mad or anything like that, but I love to toss out a swear just to shock Jake or my friends when they least expect it. For instance..."Hey Jake! How the f*** was your day, sweetie?" It's one of those things where it's usually only funny to me and my mom isn't proud.

7-I love mermaids. When I was little I really thought I might figure out a way to grow up and become a mermaid. Some friends and I did the Coney Island Mermaid Parade in June of 2010 and I'm hoping to do it every year. Our theme was 1950s housewife mermaids and we wore aprons and handed out sugar cookies shaped like fish. If my 5 year old self could have seen my 26 year old self all jazzed up with a fin and shells I would have gone completely ape.

our meet cute, part one.

I’ve known Jeffrey since the fifth grade. He attended our youth group’s program for fifth graders. I liked him right away. I probably like liked him right away, but it’s been awhile, so who really knows. What immediately struck me was that he wasn’t afraid to show all the colors of his personality. I gravitated toward his humor, his easiness, and his genuine interest in making friends with the people around him.

In the sixth grade we attended the same middle school. I remember being really excited about it. (I definitely had a crush on him at this point.) I remember talking to my best friend, Sara, all about him and how much I liked him. She was very gracious about the whole thing because I’m pretty sure I talked too much about Jeffrey in those days. Still, Jeffrey and I were just friends. I was only in middle school, though, so it’s not like I was waiting for some serious relationship to bloom. It hurt a little when he dated another girl at our middle school*, but I was resilient and carefree. It didn’t matter. I think after that time our relationship was strictly friend-to-friend. I pushed him out of my mind as a crush and moved him into the friend category. Let’s just say we carried on as friends for a long time. Like, fast-forwarding-to-our-junior-year-of-high-school long. I remember my sister cajoling me to like Jeffrey (He’s a stellar guy. She was smart.), but I was a dum-dum and liked a few other guys during my high school years.

* I use the term ‘dated’ very loosely. We were in middle school, people. However, I feel the need to point this out because it will matter later, when I tell you that Jeffrey was my first boyfriend and I was his first girlfriend. Because I technically don’t count his middle school relationship as an actual relationship. You understand.

In high school, Jeffrey, Sara, and I took French class together. We sat together, we had nicknames for one another (our names spelled backward, so original), and we were a regular Three Musketeers kind of bunch. I think I probably had a crush on Jeffrey at that time. I probably (definitely) told my family members (like I said, my sister and mom were (are) big fans of Jeffrey) that I did not have a crush on Jeffrey, but it’s time to confess – I was lying. I think they knew. At the end of our junior year, I really had a crush on Jeffrey. I remember we joked about him taking me to prom that year. We were both shy, it ultimately didn’t happen, but I remember wishing that it would. The school year ended, and Jeffrey and I spent many a summer nights conversing on AIM (it was popular at the time, kay?). I loved staying up late and talking to Jeffrey. I think, at that point, my parents wondered if the amount of time I was spending in front of the computer was healthy, but I really wanted to be old-fashioned (What am I talking about? The computer is the opposite of old-fashioned. I guess I mean old-fashioned in the wanting-the-guy-to-make-the-first-move way) and didn’t have the guts to make the first move.

I'll be back tomorrow with the rest. And on Wednesday I have a list of Christina's quirks to share with you! Have a wonderful Monday! xo, R.

Feel Good Flicks

I love movies. There's nothing better than a relaxing Saturday night filled with couch time, candy, movie viewings and loved ones. I'm usually a sucker for the typical girl-y movie: charming male leads, adorable leading ladies, cute plotlines, and happy endings. Call it boring or generic or cliché; I don't care. My affinity for Chick Flicks and Disney Classics will never die and so here's a list of some of my top picks. I like to call them Feel Good Flicks because they make me happy.

1. Meet The Robinsons. I had totally forgotten about this movie until it was on TV last night. I'm sure the adorable characters and make-believe plot naturally draw me to this quirky movie. After all, I am still a kid at heart. I love this flick and the memories it brings with it - I saw it with my best friend right after one of us returned from [what seemed like] a never ending vacation. The fact that this is the movie we chose to see can be added to the list of reasons we're best friends.

2. You've Got Mail. I adore this movie. It is one of my all-time favorites. Meg Ryan is an absolute doll in this film - I totally want to steal her wardrobe (and life, for that matter) - and, as always, Tom Hanks is charming and sweet. I've watched this movie with my mom so many times that I can't even count anymore. It never gets old.

3. Breakfast At Tiffany's. I can't even express my adoration for this film. My parents introduced me to Audrey Hepburn at a fairly young age, but it wasn't until I saw this movie that I fell in love with her lovely personality. Holly Golightly is such a darling character. This is always my go-to flick when I'm feeling blue. Audrey Hepburn is a total delight.

4. Lady and the Tramp. I am not even going to try and deny it: I am a dog lover to the fullest extent. I feel the need to pet and exclaim my love for every single dog I see. I can't help it. Those furry friends truly melt my heart. So it's no surprise that Lady and the Tramp is on my list.

5. Amelie. I dare you to see this movie and not fall in love with it. It's spoken entirely in French, which makes my heart swoon, and it reminds me of homemade Valentines - endearing, creative and full of heart! Audrey Tatou is a complete gem and I totally want to be best friends with her after I watch this enchanting film.

6. Mary Poppins. I think every little girl wants a Mary Poppins in her life. The infectious songs, endearing cast and simple plot make this movie a true classic.

7. My Neighbor Totoro. If you've ever cringed at the slight mention of Anime, you've probably never seen this lovable movie. It is so light-hearted and sweet I bet I could watch it twice in a row. It's that good.

Needless to say, this is a partial list, but pair any of these movies with some Junior Mints and Raisinets and you have found the surest route to my heart.

xo

Parents

Have I ever bragged about my parents before? No? Okay, well allow me.

My parents are two of the most incredible people I know. They have been two of the biggest influences in my life.

I owe my whimsical childhood to them.
I owe my passion for life and for others to them.
I owe my loving of baking and cooking to them.
My love for reading.
My love for writing.
For Audrey Hepburn.
For Adrien Brody.
For rain and tea.
For lemonade and dancing through sprinklers.
For Wilco.

I owe it all to them. Throughout my life they have always been there for me. They have bought me treats, but taught me the value of a dollar. Have let me make my own decisions, but have been my voice of reason.
Have been my most precious friends.
My most treasured confidants.
My comfort.
My dream makers.
Promise keepers.
They have been all of that for me.
They taught me to eat my veggies and to savor my pie.
They have taught me to help others before myself.
That laughter is the best medicine.
They have taught me to keep my head up when the going gets tough.
To persevere.
To smile in the most trying of times.
To be thankful for every blessing and for every tribulation.


My parents have always served others before themselves.
They have given everything to make my life meaningful and special and memorable.
They have equipped me with faith and trust in humanity.
They have held my hand when I needed it and let go when I needed it.

They have whispered words of inspiration into my ear.
And allowed me to go my own way.
They have allowed me to be my own person. And they have always rooted for that person.
They have given me style and grace and courage.

Needless to say, I love my parents. I thank God everyday for blessing me with two built-in best friends. I didn't have to search beyond my own home to find two kindred spirits.

I hope that someday I can be the kind of parent that my parents have always been.

xo

friday inspiration.

Friends, I am tired & this quote really makes me smile. Yesterday a good friend of mine went for a walk with me and just listened to what I needed to say. I am continually amazed by the kindness of those I am lucky enough to call my friends. Really, truly amazed. This weekend, I plan to do a lot of nothing. Oh, how even the thought of it makes me excited! And I think I might go to Starbucks. I hope you all have a very lovely weekend. xo, R.

*image.

on blogging and readerships.

I remember the first time I sat down to blog. After I had carefully chosen my URL and gone through all the steps of registering my name and information, I clicked on the 'New Post' button and was taken to a big, blank, white box. I don't really remember the thoughts that went through my head, the words I typed, or if it made me feel any better, but I have come back to this space over and over again to write about my life — my family, my friends, Jeffrey, myself, anything.

Throughout my time in this community, I've made some good friends. I've never met these people, but I have corresponded with them through email and have been fortunate enough to read the glimpses of the life they've been willing to share with myself and the rest of their lovely readers. I have commented, spent hours scrolling through archives, cried, laughed, and felt a deep connection with people who do not know me personally and, most likely, never will. In my opinion, that is a special and unique experience.

I can't say that I've ever garnered a large readership, but I have gained a loyal one. The same people constantly comment on my posts, offer me encouragement, and fuel me to continue my quest of documenting my life at this space. I am so thankful for that. I am so thankful for those people, the connections formed here, the friendships made.

Although I don't remember my feelings as I sat down at this computer to blog nearly three years ago, I can assure you that I never believed I would forge meaningful relationships here. I only ever thought my readers would be people who knew me in real life.

So, to you, my readers, thank you for being here. Thank you for taking the time to come to this space daily, weekly, or even monthly to check up on my life and its happenings. Thank you for taking the time to comment and email me and ask me questions and encourage me to continue on. Our friendships are certainly unconventional ones, but I am so appreciative of them every time I think of them. I don't thank you enough for simply reading, being here, and coming back. Your words mean more to me than you know and I appreciate your readership dearly and sincerely. xo, R.

P.S. I'll be back tomorrow with a post about breakfast. :)

the (fabricated) story of my ring: part 3.

{Part 1 here, Part 2 here.}

As George walked out of his apartment, he mourned for his typewriter. So much hard work had been tapped into those keys and it felt strange and a bit depressing to let it go. George wondered if other people had attachments to inanimate objects like the attachment he felt to his typewriter. Probably not, he thought to himself. He needed to make more friends.

Nadine stood perfectly still in her apartment. She walked to the kitchen and opened her refrigerator door to get some cool air. Although she almost instantly regretted her decision to write the Man With the Bright Red Socks a letter, she wasn't one for second guessing herself, so she decided to leave it be. Matilda was perched on Nadine's small, tan couch and Nadine joined her, waiting. She realized it could be hours before the man saw the letter, and even days before he decided to reply (if he decided to reply). Nadine opened a book, and read without understanding. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

George felt ridiculous. He felt completely and utterly alone without his typewriter and no human friends. I need a cat, he thought. He turned to open the apartment's lobby door and step outside when a piece of paper caught his eye. Certainly it's not for me, he thought, but it does look like it's attached to my mailbox. He stood still and considered reading the letter. But what if it wasn't for him? He decided to read it anyway. He blushed.

After reading a couple pages without really paying attention to them, Nadine decided it was high time she go and do something productive. She fed Matilda and gave her a small bowl of milk, something she liked to do on Saturdays. She thought of her friend Emma, who was probably doing something marvelous and exciting. She then thought about how boring her life was in this moment. As she sat in her living room with her cat, thinking of a man she did not know, writing a letter to that same man, and running back up to her apartment to think about how silly she felt for writing the letter to the man she did not know, opening her refrigerator door to get fresh air, reading a book without understanding — it all felt too predictable. With that, she grabbed her purse and headed outside.

Hearing rustling in the lobby, George ducked outside to catch his breath. His heart felt as though it had dropped into his hands and he felt silly for being so nervous about a letter from the woman in the hardware store. Surely it had to be the same woman with the floral skirt and hair just so. He memorized her handwriting, the curves of the letters, the way she addressed him as The Man With the Bright Red Socks. He relished the fact that she noticed small details and he felt himself melting into a puddle, a happy one no less.

Nadine walked outside and did not notice the missing letter, or the fact that George was standing just outside their apartment entrance. She was much too consumed by being someone who was unpredictable (something she was consumed by quite often). She thought about all the ways she could not be a bore. She thought of ways to be mysterious, unattainable. Someone who struck curiosity in others. These were all things she thought of quite often, almost as though she were rehearsing for a part in a play — herself, but different.

But what Nadine did not realize was that somewhere, The Man With the Bright Red Socks, who felt a connection to a (now broken) typewriter, was intrigued by her forwardness, her desire to be up front and transparent in any given situation. What she did not realize was that with just a few of her scribbled words on a piece of paper, The Man With the Bright Red Socks felt a lift in his spirits, the chance to make a friend other than a typewriter. How unexpected, he thought.

Part 4 to follow.

for my sister.

In just a few short weeks, my sister will be getting married. As a little girl, I dreamed of being just like her -- she was older, smarter and funnier. I wanted to wear her clothes and possess her artistic talent.

Then, when I got older, she taught me one of the most important lessons I believe I will ever learn: I am beautiful because I am unique. My sister has never been scared to be herself. From her style to her kindness, she has been true to her mind, body and spirit for as long as I can remember. I love my sister. I love her even more because, in a sense, she paved the way for me. She held my hand and let me know that it would be okay to be me. She is beautiful beyond all comprehension and I will never take for granted the fact that we are bound together by heart strings.

I wasn't always good about appreciating her, though. I can think of plenty of times when I brushed her company off for someone else's. A silly mistake, I now realize. I sincerely regret all those chances I passed up, but I am proud of the fact that I realized the importance of her presence in my life and now make an effort to appreciate her for everything she has done (and will do) for me. In a few weeks, she will walk down the aisle and I will stand by her side as she vows to spend the rest of her life with a man she loves. I have always wanted love for my sister, more than anything. I have always wanted a man that appreciates her unyielding loyalty, kindness, and fierce passion for life. She has found that person and I could not be more pleased.

When I look back on all the memories we have shared together, I get a little teary -- mostly because we are no longer children and those simple moments we have are fleeting, snapshots in my mind. At the same time, I can picture our future together. The two of us standing in a sunny kitchen, watching our own children play together. And it is good. It is oh so good. I have friends in my life that will come and go, I have friends in my life that will be there forever, and I have a sister who will walk by my side for eternity. That is the most precious gift I could be given in this wild, uncertain, difficult life. A person who will not only never leave my side, but who will support me in all my endeavors.

I love you, Evie. I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle in all your beauty, grace, and kindness. Thank you for loving me in all my stubbornness and moodiness. Even though I don't always say it, I am thankful for your presence in my life every minute of everyday.

the little engine that could.

Last year's tree. So cozy!

I'm almost done with exams, and my hardest one was today. My friends and I spent the whole day in the library yesterday and rewarded ourselves with sushi. The payoff was that I think things went well, but I'm a little superstitious, so I'll leave it at that.

Jeffrey and I are going to a cookie exchange party and we're thinking of making these and these. (I'm making them, he's volunteering at a bike race with friends, sigh.) They look good, right? And, guess what? Your favorite baking blog has been updated. Yay!

That's about it around here. I haven't done anything too exciting lately, but that's all about to change! I'll be heading home tomorrow, and I couldn't be happier about that.

And, as always, thanks for reading. You're the best people. Ever. :)

xo, R.

birthday breakdown.

Well, I had a beautiful birthday. I'm not surprised though. I was surrounded by my favorite people and the best food ever, so there you have it. My birthday started at midnight when my roommates came out with noisemakers and huge bags fulls of gifts. I'm a lucky gal. My parents drove up for lunch and we ate at Boca Fiesta. Don't let that margarita fool you, it was awful. I recommend the food, but not the alcohol. PS. That's where those awesome chips & salsa came from. I know you were wondering. After the disappointing margarita fiasco, we went to this sweet little park on campus and had birthday cake. My mom made Posie Gets Cozy's go-to birthday cake, and now I totally understand why it's her go-to birthday cake. All I'm going to say about that is if you like cake, make this one. You won't be sorry. And, of course, it was covered in sprinkles because no cake is complete without them. That's how I feel about it, anyway.

After that, my mom and I split a Mike's Lemonade because it was my 21st birthday after all, the margarita at Boca Fiesta was awful, and I really wanted to have my first drink with my mom. You understand. My parents left (and I didn't cry this time!) and Jeffrey and I got ready to go to Satchel's (the most divine pizza place in our little college town). We picked up two of our best friends, Sara and Khoi, and went on our merry way. I got a Coke with dinner because there's nothing like Coke and pizza. I know that's not really 21st-Birthday-ish of me, but it was my special day. I make the rules. Sara and I bought each other plastic dogs because we were (and obviously still are) in love with little plastic animals as children, and these were only 50 cents. An obvious must-have. Khoi (Sara's boyfriend, by the way. We also went through all of elementary school together.) drank about 8 glasses of Sweet Tea, and I'm not kidding. Everything was awesome. Just when I was pretty sure that things couldn't get any better, they did. I think it's pretty clear by now that I am hopelessly in love with Audrey Hepburn. My roommates surprised me with a movie night (where the main feature was Breakfast At Tiffany's, my favorite movie of all time. Please go watch it now if you haven't ever seen it.) complete with a heap of blankets, pillows, movie snacks, and donuts. The donuts were a necessity since Audrey Hepburn eats one at the beginning of the movie. I promise this would make more sense if you just watched it.

My friends, family, and Jeffrey are perfectly perfect. I could not have asked for a more wonderful 21st birthday. My parents spoiled me with two adorable skirts, some new shoes, and a bunch of other really sweet and awesome things. My roommates each gave me really sweet, sentimental gifts that made me want to cry happy tears, my sister and her fiance (what?!) gave me a pair of tights and a REALLY cute scarf (that my sister knit!) that I haven't been able to wear yet because of silly 80 degree weather, and Jeffrey surprised me with a brand new Brooks leather saddle for my bike. That's like, the Bentley of bike seats, y'all, AND I HAVE ONE! I'll take a picture sometime soon. Promise!

And, as promised, a picture of Jeffrey's short hair. This was taken on my birthday! I'm getting really great at self-timer, don't ya think?! Woosh! That was a crazy long post. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Now I'm tired. :)

xo, R.

sharing on a sunday.

Good afternoon, friends! I hope you're having the loveliest Sunday. I just took a trip to the mall and now I'm sitting on the couch with Jeffrey. We're trying to wrap up the little details of our wedding and I can't believe it will be here in one week! Since our engagement was pretty long, it seemed like this day would never come, so it really snuck up on us. It's amazing to think that by this time next week we'll be getting ready to marry one another. I can hardly believe it and I'm really, really excited! This weekend, I thought I'd share a few things with you. I hope you enjoy them. :)

* I have been loving Trader Joe's salsa. You guys. I pretty much never just want chips and salsa, but ever since Jeffrey recommended this stuff, I've been hooked. It's really just your run of the mill salsa, but it tastes so good! We really love it with their organic corn chip dippers, which are like sophisticated Fritos.

* After since my coconut oil post, I've been using the stuff as shaving cream all the time. I really, really like a close shave, so I pretty much always shave my legs twice right in a row. The first time I just use a regular shaving cream, but the second time I use coconut oil. My favorite part is that there's no need to moisturize after I finish shaving because the coconut oil takes care of that part for me.

* My dairy free experiment is almost over and I couldn't be happier about that! I do think it made a difference in my skin, but it certainly didn't transform it. If you do have troubled skin, I'd recommend trying it out. I started seeing results after about three weeks of leaving dairy behind. Because I'm a huge dairy lover, it was really difficult for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it. This and this (in blueberry) helped me get through it!

* Woody's new squeaky toy makes him and us very happy! My aunt recommended that we get Woody a squeaky toy, but we weren't keen on hearing it all the time. We found this sweet little tennis dog made by Kong and it was like the heavens were shining down on us! You can turn the squeaker OFF, which is super awesome because most of the time we don't mind hearing him squeak away, but when we do we just hit the button and silence is granted.

* I found a makeup brush that will change the way your makeup looks on your face. I'm not huge into having a million brushes for my makeup, but even I can recognize the benefits of a high quality foundation brush. Because our wedding is coming up, I didn't mind splurging a little bit on some high quality makeup to make myself feel extra special. A girl at the Sephora counter recommended this brush and it is really incredible! I will admit that the price was a bit of a slap in the face, but I actually think it's worth it. The trick is holding the brush right at the very end of the handle so that you have a lot of flexibility in moving the brush over the foundation. It creates a flawless, natural finish. (P.S. These are some of my favorite brushes and they're much more affordable if you're on a budget.)

* Speaking of makeup, I found the most amazing blush for fair-skinned folks. When I was in high school, I wanted nothing more than to be tan, but now that I'm a little bit older I really appreciate my pale skin. (Plus, the start of forehead wrinkles was a pretty big wake up call.) Taking care of the skin on my face is one of my favorite ways to treat myself and when I came across this blush by Tarte, it was like someone made it specifically for me. It has an amazingly natural, but glowing finish and it looks wonderful on pale skin. On top of that it's formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOS, or triclosan. In general, Tarte is a pretty conscience company and I trust their products (I've heard these lipsticks have wonderful pigmentation and staying power)! The price might come as a bit of a shock, but you're paying for a product that is made with integrity and your health in mind. Keep in mind that most drugstore products are filled with nasty, cancer-causing agents. Yikes!

Anyway, that's enough rambling for one day. Have a beautiful Monday, friends! xo, R.

P.S. Do you have anything to share?

a letter to my future students.

I think you're wonderful, perfect, beyond brilliant.

More than capable, full of insight, creativity, and compassion for others. Your mind is your ultimate asset -- the ticket to all the places you want to go. Your ideas are good, justified, important, worthwhile, necessary. You're necessary.

Some subjects will be hard and that's a bummer. Sometimes you'll want to give up (that's also a bummer). Don't do it. Want to know a secret? Math is hard for me. Really, really difficult. The-I-Want-To-Quit-Right-Now difficult. But I didn't quit, still won't quit. Because I believe in myself, believe in my abilities. Just like I believe in your abilities. In everything you do. I believe in you.

You don't know everything. Neither do I. We never will. Isn't that exciting? Everyday we get to learn new things. Maybe we'll share them with others. Or maybe we'll keep them to ourselves for awhile. That's okay, too. Either way, learning is a gift; a special project of which we are all a part. We all learn. Every single one of us. If we're not united in anything else, we are united in that.

Stay curious. Ask more questions. Compliment your friends. Ask for help. Give help when you are asked. Give help when you are not asked. Take pleasure in reading simply to read. Skip down the hallway. Enjoy your classmates. Appreciate your education.

One day you will go out into the world. And you will have all the equipment you need. You are all smart and kind individuals with a special place on this planet and a special place in my heart.

image.

The Quirk Project (No. 5)

Destini's Quirks

1. Pens are kind of a big deal to me. I get really excited over a good pen. And maybe I'm sort of picky sometimes when it comes to selecting a writing utensil. Like, if a pen is supposed to have a cap on it...then it needs to have the cap on it when I write with it. (This "logic" doesn't apply to clicky pens, of course). And if my choices are either a pen without a cap or nothing, then I won't turn it down. All I'm saying is, there's a nicer weight to a pen when the cap isn't missing.

2. I can't do roller-coasters. They gross me out. The flips, the tracks, the seat-belts or harnesses, the click-clicking to the top...yuck! I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the "exhilarating, stomach-dropping feeling", because I'm really only cool with that for a few seconds. All I know is that my palms start sweating and my heart starts racing from the moment I step into a kiddie-coaster line, and when I get locked in the seat, my panic is verging on heart attack status.

3. Every week when I watch American Idol, I get SO excited and get the urge to pick up any instrument, learn to play it and belt out my tunes! And I secretly always wish that my roommates will leave the apartment the next day, so that I can slide around in my socks, singing American Idol songs all day.

4. I can't drink coffee in the morning, I'm a nighttime drinker. I really enjoy getting coffee with friends, and I like the idea of waking up in the morning to a nice, big cup of coffee...however, when I'm really tired and up early in the morning (you know, when most people would turn to coffee, I steer clear), because I just end up feeling really sick. A few days ago, Alex, our friend Andrew and I woke up at 5 am to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, hike into the woods and film a documentary. We started our morning off with coffee and about halfway through the trip, Andrew had to pull over on the side of this cliff-road, because I thought I was going to throw up. I never did, but the rest of the car ride was pretty nauseating.

5. When I'm watching tv, I prefer to go UP to the numbers, rather than come down to them. This quirk is really verging on OCD, but it's okay because it's probably the only OCD quality about me. If I want to change the channel or volume from 27 to 25 for example, I can't just go down two clicks.. I have to go 27, 26, 25, 24...and then back to 25. It's strange and I can't really explain it, but as a kid, I associated "going down" as being truly negative, so I adopted this odd little habit.

6. I am habitually disorganized. When I have a child, let's just hope that their father has some organization skills, because they will learn nothing from me. I am constantly trying to change my ways...constantly! I'm relying heavily on my planner this semester, so I'm making some strides... my desk however, that's a losing battle. I try, but that thing has yet to stay organized for longer than a week. It's a shame too, because I have a really cute glass desk from Ikea :)

7. I am SO shy. It's something I'm really trying to work on, but I think I'm getting shyer as I get older. It's funny because anyone who knows me would be like, "You, shy? YEAH RIIIIIGHT!" But it's true! I get really, really, reeeeally nervous every time I have to walk into a new classroom, give a presentation or call someone on the phone, or something. My career interests don't look kindly to shyness, since I'm in film school right now, looking to further myself in filmmaking, acting and music... so I'm REALLY trying to conquer the crippling shyness a-sap!

8. I say "Just Kidding" ALL the time! I don't know where it came from and I can't seem to shake it. Sometimes I'll notice it and try to correct it......with another "just kidding"!! Really? Reeally? I'll try and give you a mental picture. I don't know if you're familiar with Kristen Wiig's Saturday Night Live character, Judy Grimes... (but one of my favorite clips can be found here!) I'm not as bad as her... but almost.

Thanks for sharing, Destini! xo

This is the last installment of the Quirk Project I have received. If you're interested in submitting your quirks, please look here.

life update.

Hello, friends, loved ones, and people I don't know.

How are you? I've been gone for awhile, huh?

That's because I'm thinking about revamping this here blog a little bit. I sometimes get bored easily. Right now I'm just letting my wheels spin. I'll be back soon, though.

In the mean time, I hope you're enjoying the fall weather (it's still pretty warm where I am) and drinking lots of hot beverages.

Enjoy your Monday. Life is so beyond, isn't it?

friday inspiration.

{1}. Pretty Pavlova.
{2}. Color.
{3}. Sweet bouquet.
{4}. Lovely haircut.
{5}. Statement couch.

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Friends, I hope you have the loveliest weekend. I'll be back on Monday with a series of posts from our recent trip to the mountains! xo, R.

about.

I started this blog as a way to connect with my friends and family when I left for college. I keep it as a place for inspiration and a chronicle of my daily life. I'm glad you're here. xo

Some favorite posts: engagement, a letter to my future students, a letter to my parents, an ode to my sister, that one time we were really bad campers, and a post about being beautiful.



email me: xo.simplyR(at)gmail(dot)com

monday inspiration.

{1} Really cool wallpaper. {2} Better Than Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread). {3} Good to remember. {4} A sweet scene. {5} Love these ceremony altar decorations. {6} Pops of yellow.

Hello, friends! I hope you had a nice weekend. My parents paid us a surprise visit and it was really lovely to see them. My sister is borrowing my camera right now, so I didn't have the chance to snap any pictures. I have to say that sometimes it's nice to put the camera down and just have fun. That's not to say that I don't love taking pictures (I do!), but it's nice to take a break every now and again. That also means this week's blogs may be light on the pictures. I hope that's okay with you. What did you do this weekend? xo, R.