The Winds of Change like woah...

My life has taken some pretty dramatic turns the last few days, and while I'm super very extremely excited about some aspects, I am equally (dramatically) depressed about the others. So far, I am l-o-v-i-n-g my new gig and all the people who work there. I'm obsessed with Central Virginia and all that it has to offer...

...like vineyards, and horse country, and morning dew on the way to work. Sigh.

However...I'm am also very sad about the following items of business:

Our dog. Duh.

88 MILES?!?! FOL.

Das basement of sin and smooches.

Being sooo pretty.

And soooo smart!

So. I'm in the process of caulking holes, painting primer, picking paint colors, moving beds, setting up Internet connections, joining clubs, makin' fraaands, crafting Halloween costumes, going to happy hours, and in general getting myself back to the place I was always meant to be. In the meantime, connection to the outside world is super limited--there's so much to learn, so much to do, so much to see. 

It's funny to think that somehow, after all this time, the grass has always been a little bit greener here...

xoxo,

Hannah

These Hoes Are Legit

I've been meaning to share this little gem for a while, so please peep this email from one of my best and most beautiful friends...long may she dream! Bahahaha

"...as a side note, I guess Hannah's email to all of us had me thinking of y'all because last night, I dreamed(/dreamt??) we all tried out for the "X Factor." And, I must have had Ashley on my mind too, because our song of choice was Katy Perry's "Firework." Bahahaha.

P.S. We got booed off stage in the first verse of the song even though we had a killer dance routine :( "

 

 

life is certainly beautiful...

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

It's a rainy, drizzly, grey mess everywhere. Going on Day 2 of no bike riding to work and it is very troubling. Enter the beginning rumblings of seasonal depression! Noooo! I despise driving my car anywhere these days (well, I've always felt that way), and I am so ready for some crisp mornings with the birds chirping and the leaves changing. I just escaped a three-hour meeting from hell and I want nothing more than to curl up in a super overstuffed chair with a book, a latte, and some kind of fleece-lined, cable-knit blanket. Yes. Get on that.

In the meantime, I will continue to daydream about cords and elbow pads...

Cashmere sweaters with simple white tees.

And serious light-filled rooms decked out with overhead fans + warm hardwoods underneath. Yumm.

However, the best part of today would definitely go to the fact that it is none other than this fabulous, beautiful, ferociously sweet woman's birthday! I couldn't be more happy than to spend the day thinking about the one and only AM! Happy birthday, lovah! Can't wait to hear from/play with ya soon!



It ain't easy being this adorable 24/7, but she does it with ease!

Gettin' my nails did tonight. Real fancy. Preferably with some kind of airbrushing. Yes. Wish me luck!

xxx,
Hannah

You Just Gotta Keep Livin... L-I-V-I-N

Recently, I've been feeling so much better about my life. Things are lining up. Plans are in the making. My everyday going-ons are making me happy, full, creative, and sweet. Getting over my grass-is-always-greener syndrome couldn't be more fun--and what better day to realize it than the first day of summer! Slicing negativity...focusing on everything beautiful around me...and remembering exactly who I am...sounds like a brilliant plan to me. 

This morning, I rode my bike to work! Finally! It's something I've been talking and talking and talking about, but I woke up a little early, strapped on my helmet (you're welcome, Mom/Alex!), and took off (Landlady in tow, of course). It was so, so easy and I'm kicking myself for not doing it earlier. However, I did take a spinning class last night and my buns are feeling like steel/my seat bones have the serious ouchies. No fun, but (butt?) sacrifices must be made!!

Also, one of my newest obsessions is...basil water! I was on my cucumber water kick for a hot minute in Blacksburg, but I'm moving on to more...adult...choices. Well, not really. I'm just growing basil in my backyard so it's FREE and my cucumbers have yet to sprout. Can't wait for them to get here but in the meantime...yum!

Also...I'm in the midst of planning an amazing, life-changing, balls-to-the-wall road trip that will take me from DC to Pennsylvania to upstate New York to Massachusetts to Rhode Island to Nantucket and beyond! Getting seriously excited about convertible-driving, scarf-wearing, sunglass-sporting adventures in the sunshine with one of my favorite women out there.

So cheers to life, love, and happiness--keep it coming my way!

xxx, Hann

What Will Come of All Our Pride?

There are few women who conjure up the feeling of pure, unadulterated, obsessive lust in me like the one-and-only Grace Potter. Jetting out at 3:00 to see all of Grace in her hair-whipping, leg-stomping, throat-moaning glory and I simply cannot wait! My summer concert list is lining up perfectly.

What better way to kick it off?

She gives the people what they want...

...while letting her crazies fly free.

Jefferson Theater won't know what hit it. YES!

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...

Woo Me Until the Sun Comes Up

.

Nails done!

Car packed!

Party pants on!

.

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!!!

Who's Ya Mutha?

Happy Mother's Day to the most amazing lady I know! 

I hope to be half as bad ass as you some day! xxx

Enjoying life for as long as I've known her! Thanks for keepin' in real, livin' yo life, and always being there when I need ya (aka every day). You rock.