My Dear, Sweet August...

Oh August.

Do you really need to end?

You've been darn near perfect to me.

And I hate goodbyes...

Not seeing you for the next 11 months?

It makes my palms all sweaty and my heart feel heavy, but not in a bad way.

Just in the way that annual comings and goings make me feel I suppose. 

I kind of just want to stay stuck in your embrace,

and linger for a while , like the couple above.

But I know you've got to head out...

Until next year;

Happy Fall, friends.

xo

image unknow; reminders welcome!

Happy Weekend, Happy Birthday

This weekend I am celebrating my birthday!

I have a very special friend travelling

all the way from the east coast to the west,

to help me blow out all my candles!

We've got plenty of glittery girly activities planned,

including a day spent across the golden gates,

at a fancy spa nestled among eucalyptus trees.

Then we'll enjoy a late lunch with wine in the sunshine.

We'll share dinner among friends,

and a whole lot of laughs.

Maybe we'll even have a go at this zebra pinata!

I miss my family today. And wish I could gather up ALL

the people who I love so much in this wild world,

to ring in a new year of being emily.

Wishing a happy weekend to you,

and a happy birthday to me!

xo

all images found here!

Only Once in a Two Moon

My mom and aunt shared some exciting news this morning.

Tonight, Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky.

It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye

 as it comes within 34.65M miles off earth tonight.

Star gazers and milky way dreamers should watch the sky at 12:30 am.

It will look like the earth has two moons.

Swoon.

The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287...

Happy Two Moons, Friends.

Last Best Place

When I got home last night

there was a mighty big package waiting for me at my door.

It is really quite special when you get an unexpected parcel delivered to you!

What's more special?

The gift inside.

A little taste of the wild west for my bachelorette pad.

My two best friends sent me this framed print of one of my very favorite places, Montana.

You can't see very well from this picture, but it says: Last Best Place.

I think there is something very poignant about that phrase.

Cheers, to wonderful friends and unexpected surprises.

xo

A Dinner Among Friends

I've done something kind of casual and grown-up.

I've organized a little birthday dinner on Saturday night

with all of my new friends!

I'm not terribly fond of birthdays.

I like to celebrate them and all of that.

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Because, really; who doesn't like an occasion that calls for balloons and bubbly?

But, I always feel a little funny having anyone make a fuss over it.

So, I went ahead and planned a little dinner to introduce new friends to old friends and all of that smug, mature, grown-up stuff.

xo

The Switch

So, so, so excited to see this.

Yes; I like Jennifer Aniston movies.

Eeeh, most of them anyway.

And here's lookin' at you, Jason Bateman.

You dreamboat, you.

I swear, when the little kid in the movie trailer says, "Oh my god. I think I have that,"

I nearly pee my pants each time.

Why are hypochondriac children that act like 74-year old men so darn cute?

xo

How AL-LURE-ING

I know.

 Terrible pun above.

And I suppose a keychain is kind of a silly accessory to get worked up about.

But I really like this one from Brook Farm General Store

It's a 1970's block & tackle keychain from an old marine shop.

Pretty cute, right?

xo

Believe It Or Not...

...We're having a heat wave!

It's true; the weatherman said so.

Summer has finally arrived in the Bay Area.

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I feel like dancing through sprinklers,

and waving a hose above my head.

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I feel like shouting to the sun:

"HELLO DARLING! IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"

*this image origin escapes me. reminders are welcome!

This is a most excellent and welcomed forecast.

And juuust in time for my birthday guest!

Enjoy the sunshine, Friends.

xo

oh.my.gosh.

oh. my. gosh.

oh. brother.

oh jeeeeez.

Oh Man of  La Mancha!

These guys.

Are soooooooo cuuuuuute.

Discovered here via here

xo

Beach Reads

It's the first summer in a long string of summers

 that I haven't had much time to sit and read in the sunshine.

This is partially due to lack of, well... sun in San Francisco this summer,

and also because I've just been too darn busy.

But I've got two books on my summer reading list that I cannot wait to tackle:

I've read reviews on both books and they sound quite delicious.

Here's to the Indian Summer everyone in the Bay Area has been boasting about.

Lawn chair? Check.

Sunglasses? Check.

Sustainable water bottle so I don't get dirty looks in the park from ultra-environmentalists? Check.

Scampering off to the bookstore shortly!

xo

Hello Sun, Hello Sand, Hello Friends

I'm flying the coop,

and heading south for the weekend.

Back to where this crazy California love affair began.

I'm off to see some very dear friends.

To dip my toes in the ocean,

 and tilt my head towards the sun.

'till we speak again soon....

Happy weekend, friends

xo

*images unknown

Oh If Only!

I wish I had a Selby-worthy apartment so I could enter this contest.

I almost do; but it's not quite there yet.

I love glimpsing into the manicured backyards,

well-loved kitchens, creative work stations and ultimate party garages

that Todd Selby captured  in his beautiful coffee table book.

I might sound a smidge on the side of  creepy,

but there's something about peeking into beautiful people's homes that is quite lovely.

It's like we're all in on the secret.

xo

Dream a little dream

I had a dream last night that felt real.

When I woke up, I had to trace back through my sleep

to understand that it hadn’t happened, it was just a dream.

Sometimes, those deep dreams leave me feeling a little wonky!

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Someone showed up in my dream last night that I hadn’t thought about in a long time.

Well, that’s not true. I think about them sometimes, but I also think about bus schedules and what kind of sandwich I want to eat for lunch;

just normal everyday stuff that pops into my head!

How do certain people get into our dreams anyway?

Tonight, I hope I dream about sugar snap peas and shooting stars.

xo

Back Soon...

Oh gosh.

There's so much to share and not enough time to do it!

I'm just soaking up all the fun I can have...

I'll be sure to tell you about it, really soon.

I promise.

xo

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Because Every Woman Needs a Cape...

Happy Early Birthday to Moi!

And luckily, I can wear this frock all year round here in

San Francisco.

A perfect purchase!

cape from here

Happy Cape Wearing, Ladies!

xo

Comic Relief

This was me on the bus

on my way to the summer outing...

before I got stranded there.

Goodbye work week of August 9th.

You stunk.

xo

Wallpaper for My Mom

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Isn't this Lily of the Valley wallpaper so sweet and girly?

It reminds me of my mom.

Lilly of the Valley is one of her favorite flowers.

xo

How to Bond with Your Summer Interns. Sort of.

Ok.

I was debating this post, but I'm trying to be honest so I'm just going to come out and say it.

And  yes, I know I tread on the side of dramatic at times,

but this time I truly am embarrassed. 

So, 

I've been cursed with an ailment that children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old endure.

No, I don't wet the bed.

Worse.

Sometimes I suffer the occasional nose bleed.

Eeeek! There. I said it! It's out in the open!

It's dreadful and humiliating.

And it happened yesterday afternoon.

At my company's summer party.

Uh.

Seriously.

Can you think of anything more ego crushing?

image via here

I can. (Wait for it....)

Having the bus, that is bringing your company back to the office, leave without you.

Yep. That happened.

I debated chasing after the bus, arms flailing, but that would just deflate any last fiber of coolness, self-assurance, or pride.

So, I did the only thing left to do.

Lifted my sniffling nose in the air, walked back into the venue, and pulled up a chair with the 22 year old interns who apparently decided to keep the party going after hours.

It just so happened, the president of the company decided to hang around for another round of beers too.

I'm hoping I pulled off 'stranded chic' instead of 'abandoned newbie' while I waited for a dear friend to scoop me up. 

Oh yeah.

And I'm pretty sure everyone thinks I have a crush on my boss.

 I don't even have the energy to explain my way out of that gem. But for the record; I don't.

Here's to laughing it off tomorrow. 

xo 

Inside Joan's Purse

I just made this the wallpaper on my computer's desktop.

It's a depiction of what we'd find inside Joan Holloway's purse.

 The clever folks at Mad Men Unbuttoned created it.

I love their reasoning behind the aspirin:

 'for hangovers, heartaches, and fussy bosses.'

There's a Don Draper version for the fellas, too!

xo

Eh. I'd Rather Not.

That's what I feel like saying today.

I've got a case of what I refer to as the Moody Tuesdays, except it's Wednesday.

I'd rather not rewrite a deck for work.

Ditto, in regards to that memo.

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I'd rather not tend to the pile of dirty dishes in my kitchen sink.

And I don't really feel like mustering up the spunk to go meet people after work.

Recent tales in the news have got me thinking.

I wonder, what would happen if I just shrugged and said,

'Eh. Nah.'

Here's to a grander Thursday, friends!

xo

Bachelor Pad

Dear ABC,

You really are the gift that keeps on giving.

Thank you for the delicious filth that is The Bachelor Pad.

I screened multiple calls last night, as to not be interrupted.

xo

Little Hen Party

My aunt and uncle have chickens!

Here they are, just hanging out in the front yard.

I wonder if blond hens have more fun?

xo

HOLIDAY

Oh. Wow.

Hither and Thither featured these fantastic vintage Holiday Magazine covers earlier today.

And I let them know I'd be following in their footsteps.

I don't know what's more appealing;

A wild west, horseback adventure at a dude ranch,

the quintessential northeastern getaway, complete with lobsters and lakes

or posting up with a boat drink and a book on a beach in Acapulco

Take a peek at the collection.

Honestly, Cleveland never looked so good!

Sigh.

all images and more found HERE

Oz

This past Friday night, some friends and I sampled gourmet street food at Fort Mason.

The epicurean extravaganza is part of San Francisco’s Cart Project.

Saturday I enlisted in a self-conducted walking tour to the highest peaks of the city

 and then through the Presidio.

Some of the homes I saw were so beautiful, I had to pinch myself and take a pulse check.

In the late afternoon, I met a new friend for coffee and conversation, and the sun peeked through the fog for the first time in a handful of days.

Later that evening, I treated myself to Chinese food and a movie.

My fortune read: Tomorrow is a great day to try something new.

And try I did!

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A girlfriend and I traversed the Golden Gates, and my… what a view.

There is something about the emerald green of the bay, the clay red of the bridge, and the hills that fool you into thinking you’re in the Italian country-side.

I think my mom put everything into words perfectly when she wrote,

‘Emily, you live in Oz.’

It’s true!

There is no place like home but boy, I sure feel lucky where I’ve landed.

Happy Monday friends.

xo

Happy Weekend

Have an awesome weekend, friends.

Happy beach combing.

xo

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Apt # 410

Dear Person That Lives in the Apartment Above Me,

I beg of you,

Quit clomping around in these:

or,

buy a carpet,

and stiletto strut till your heart's content.

xo

image

Buying leads to Bookshelf Envy

Well humph.

I'm coming down from my chair buying high,

and now I've got a case of bookshelf envy.

Why'd I let myself get lost in Lonny?

Aren't these lovely?

both images from Lonny,

which I hope I'm not causing any mischief by posting.

kindly, (and gently) tell me otherwise!

I'd blush if you shout.

xo

Jenna Swivel Chair

Hot dog!

I just bought a chair.

chair

Cute, don't ya' think?

I think it will look quite nice in my San Francisco Bachelorette Pad.

xo

The Tale of a Whale... and a Special Adventure

Have you ever had such a perfect day, it’s difficult to articulate how special it was?

It is sort of like leaving summer camp as a kid.

I couldn’t begin to explain the magic of campfires and star gazing to my friends and family back home.

My words just couldn’t do my thoughts justice.

That’s how this past weekend went for me.

It was a pure treasure, and I’m struggling to find the best words to describe my bliss.

First up?

A country music concert and a picnic in the park.

A loveable lab, a best college buddy, and a cold frothy beer.

We licked BBQ sauce from our fingers, and sang along to the songs we knew.

As luck would have it, we made it to the craft fair too.

I made some special purchases for myself and my family.

Sometimes the smallest of trinkets can be the truest of treasures, no?

A journey up north that was so majestic, I really did feel as though I was walking on sunshine.

Wind in our face and fresh salt air; we climb high up, onto the top of the world, and spotted seals below.

A pack of pelicans glided past us, so close we could almost reach out and touch them.

A lighthouse, which cast its final glow in the 1970’s, whose beauty is comparable to a piece of jewelry.

An antique locket perhaps?

And then, the most special moment of the day: we spotted the tail of a whale in the pacific waters below.

We couldn’t believe our special fortune.

We saw a baby gray, it’ entire spotted body from our perch above. It was so very, very magical.

I made a wish and cooed with glee.

Have you ever seen an entire whale swimming in the sea?

It’s spellbinding and beautiful.

Onward on our journey past Pt. Reyes and up Route 1 to Tomales Bay.

Oyster’s were next up on our northern California adventure

Oh wow.

This was a drive that Jack Kerouac would dream of.

We arrived at Tomales Oyster; as close to utopia as you can get, really.

The late afternoon sun touched the water, glistening like diamonds

Picnic tables, grills, and bags of oysters, right on the bay.

We met new friends, who helped us shuck the shells.

We listened to children play at the edge of the water; what a special place to be a kid.

We drank our wine and relished in our day.

Everything just fell into place.

And I suppose that’s a good thing to remember.

And hold close to my heart.

Everything does

just fall...

into

place.

*all images are my own

Happiness Happens Month

Hello, August;

it’s so good to see you again!

August has a true monopoly on the phrase ‘long and lazy, dog days of summer.’

Don’t you agree?

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If July is about barbeque's and backyard parties, then August stands for lounging and daydreaming.

It’s a month that lends itself well to finding a nice patch of grass

 and reading the day away under the shade of a tree.

In August, you don’t have to feel guilty if you skip the pool party in favor of an Arnold Palmer and an afternoon full of your own quiet thoughts.

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I think that’s a nice feeling, don’t you?

August also happens to be Happiness Happens Month.

It’s true!

I’m part of the Secret Society of Happy People,

and we take a whole lotta pride in celebrating the pursuit of happy possibilities.

Last summer, my older sister decorated the house with bunting and crepe paper to mark the kick-off of Happiness Happens.

So, as I always encourage, high five your neighbor and smile at a stranger: happiness is contagious!

xo