Bonjour, Weeeeekend!

It's absolutely brilliant outside, and I just found out I get to leave work at noon! Plus, I'm meeting Caroline for lunch at The Counter....going for a run...maybe checking out the Anthropologie sale section...basking like a cat in the sunshine...starting a new crafty project...probably heading to Jazz in the Garden...and getting ready for a glorious Memorial Day weekend. BONUS: I get to work from home on Tuesday!!

Go outside and get you some of this...

...a sweet southern breeze 

... a hydrangea buzz

... a long and lazy brunch

...an afternoon delight

...and a little present for you from me

Come run with me, the best is yet to be...

The Arc of a Love Affair

There isn't really a way to express how amazing last night was for me. I left work early. Got an awesome haircut. Made it through Tysons with minimal traffic. Caught the first train into the city and met up with my lovers. Lounged on the mall and soaked up the sun. Wandered our way  to the DAR Constitution Hall. Found our fantastic seats. Let the magic begin.

So I was expecting this concert to be amazing. I was expecting to be completely happy and blown away. I was expecting it to be somewhat life-changing. I wasn't expecting to tear up at the sound of the first song (Crazy Love II) and remain in a state of complete euphoria for the next two hours. It was the best performance I've ever seen. I love that little man.

Now, I've always had a soft spot for Paul Simon in my soul, but all drama aside, this was the closest thing I've ever had to a religious experience. Every song he performed took me back to a different memory, a different place in my life in such an unexpectedly vivid way....

....like listening to 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover while driving around UVA grounds with The Boy.

...debating the saddest section of Slip Slidin Away and realizing how one song can mean three completely different things for three different people.

...feeling the bumps that ran up and down Wendy's car seats on the way to Grymes with Gumboots in the tape deck.

...lying on the floor in the Tiny House with Del, singing Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. 

  

...remembering how I've stood on the corner of Lafayette (in the state of Louisiana) and relished in NOLA lovin' with that song ringing in my ears for a good solid year.

...seeing Alex's face when Obvious Child came blasting through the speakers and the way she clutched her little hands together for the whole song.

...pondering the fact that I play Mother and Child Reunion every time I drive home to Louisa.

...and a million more. Every song. Every one. I want to be reincarnated as a Paul Simon lyric-- no more, no less.

If you ever have the chance to see him in concert, do it. Cough up the dough and soak it in because it was one of the best experiences of my life.

The Luckiest {Preview}

Back from a stunning, emotional, fantastic weekend with some of the best people I know in the most gorgeous state of all. Virginia is for lovers, so take a quick peek for yourself.

Ashley in her gorgeous Vera Wang/Jimmy Choo/O'Keefe sexiness.

Waiting for Mark.

Backup singers (The Pink Ladies).

Reception perfection in the mountains.

Bustin' moves.

Takin' names.

Sending the happy couple off right....?

Most importantly, celebrating the glorious love train that is the Passeros. 

Cheers to you!

{1}

Up next... Wren and Justin! 

Start your engines...

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
 
By: Mary Oliver

Woo Me Until the Sun Comes Up

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Nails done!

Car packed!

Party pants on!

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Off to a truly epic three-day weekend filled to the brim with Lou Lovin', champagne toasting, and party-bus cruising. Cheers to a fabulous weekend for everyone, especially to my long-lost crew who I'll be seeing in a few short hours!!!

I'm Losin' It.

My debit card, that is. Yep, lost it again. Here's the thing--I'm not even that stressed about it. Is that wrong? This must be the fifth time it's been 'misplaced,' and at this point, I'm pretty calm. The only thing that concerns me is that I have less than a quarter tank of gas in my car and I've gotta drive to the mountains/boondocks tomorrow for wedding festivities. Get thee to a bank, stat!

Meanwhile, I'm over here lusting after material goods like the best of them. Get over yourself--you know you do too. So, this post is in honor of what I would currently buy if I found some idiot's debit card floating in the breeze for my expense.*

A new camera wristlet thing with a cute bohemian print that I could slip on while hula hooping and/or attending local equestrian events.

The Karma Necklace. True story--I've been watching The Biggest Loser all season. No surprise there. For 10 weeks now, I've been lusting after a necklace that one of the contestants rocks for every weigh-in. So, I slapped on my gum shoes and did some Googling and found that she is wearing not one, but two of these!! Bad ass. Plus, her name is Hannah. She'll probs win the show. I'll vote for her.

Every year when the sun sets later in the day and the whippoorwills come out and the honeysuckle is running wild...I get the itch for new bed sheets. I know--it's a completely normal response. This year I'm pining after LLBean's Sand Dollar sheets (and that delicately delicious bed skirt). I'll bet you $5 these babies would feel cool to the skin and are just begging to be tucked away at a scrubby little beach cottage.



This Max Kurzweil print, 'Woman in a Yellow Dress.' It reminds me of a Klimt painting. I love the colors, love the texture, jeal of her waistline. Gorgeous.



Also, breaking news!! I think I may have finally perfected my homemade yogurt recipe. The missing ingredient is to let the yogurt cook for at least 12 hours (rather than the 10 I had originally tried, which left me with runny, milk-like yogurt rather than the thick, Greek, deliciousness I've been craving).

Hannah: 1
Yogurt Machine: 0

THURSDAY! woot

*obvi, I would never use a found debit card. Cut me some slack, fools.

You're a Helluva Guy

Spent the weekend at the Cape with some lovely ladies and co. Although the weather wasn't super cooperative, we managed to sneak in a few hours of sun lounging in between our day drinking and Cheez-It consumption. I finally met the infamous Alice who lived up to her reputation and whipped up one of the most delicious lemon meringue pies I've ever tasted. Two thumbs up for a super relaxing, crab-filled weekend away from the NOVA crazies. 

The pool was heated...but apparently only at the jets. Dangit. 

Sooo, we may or may not have locked ourselves out of the house. Luckily we had cold beer, snacks, and Alice around the corner with a key!

On the hunt for the key!

Feast your eyes on this. Fresh out of the oven and peaked to perfection. Delish!

Crabby shirt making its first appearance, oh lawd.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"

You can't say we didn't work for it! Taking the kayak out to set traps and get our shred on.

Gotcha!

I'm becoming a little obsessed with my hula hoop. It just makes me so happy. You know...it's the little things. 

Safety first.

We crafted a batch of Sexton Panther Piss. 

12 Lemons + Vodka + Lemon Rinds + Shaken, Not Stirred + Sugar

Biffles, duh.

Awkward roomies for life! 

Later, we took a trip down to the docks in search of more crabbies and found this guy. A Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Chesapeake?! Who woulda thought.

Our dog whisperer.

Who am I kidding--this is how most of the weekend was spent. 

Dug up the ole Vicky Secret leopard print circa 2008. Love it.

Best weekend evah.

Yes. We watered the trees. Because we're legit.

First feast of the season!

You arrrrrrghhhhhh fabulous! bahaa

In the kitchen. You know. Cooking.

With our bellies full of god knows what, we headed home, only to see this fantastic license plate on our way out.

Here comes the sun. Figures!

Ugh, let's go back ASAP.

Hope y'all had a fabulous weekend, wherever you were! Can't wait for next weekend too when I'm off to celebrate the glorious union of the one and only AO'Keefe and her lovah Mark!!

Life is great.