Lions and Tigers and Bears!

In less than an hour, Little Sister, the Boyfriend, and I are going to the zoo! Of course I did the zoo run in April, but I haven't actually walked around the zoo since my freshman year of college. It's definitely time I visited the animals again. In honor of our zoo trip, here are some cute animal-themed photos that I found and loved. Rawr!

  via, thebeautydepartment

via, mycakeschool

via, bananarepublic 
Sadly, this cardigan was from the MadMen collection at BR, and is no longer available. :(

via, rifle paper co.

via, whatiwore 

 

via, michaelryandesign

via, elizabethmckay

Well, I'm off to pick my 2 favorite people up. It's zoo time!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Currently...

Got this cute post idea from Designed to Love , and thought it would be perfect since I have a crazy case of writer's block.

I am currently...

{reading} The Great Gatsby
This was one of my favorites in high school, and since the movie is coming out this Christmas (check out the trailer, it looks fabulous) I decided that it needed to be read once again. After this I continue through the Harry Potter series with The Prisoner of Azkaban.

{watching} Pretty Little Liars
New episode tonight, but I'm waiting to watch it with Mom and Little Sister when we go home on Thursday. Love. This. Show.

{anticipating} The beach!
Little Sister, the Boyfriend, and a couple of our best friends are going to Galveston for a beach trip this Friday, and I could not be more pumped. It's the first time we've been this summer, and we're gonna have a blast. High of 93 and mostly sunny = perfect beach weather. I'm already planning what to pack in the cooler. I'm thinking bottles of homemade sweet tea, chocolate chip cookies, fruit, and chips. Any other ideas?

{laughing about} God's way of working things out
Hi, my name is Lauren and I'm an over-worrier. But seriously, if something can produce stress you can bet I'll stress about it. Lately I've been wondering why things have turned out a certain way, doubting decisions, and just really hating myself. Then last week things started falling into place, and are continuing to do so this week. It just makes me laugh because I can almost hear God saying, "See Lauren? This is what happens when you stop trying to control everything and give it to me."

{listening to} Fluffy music
Oh you know, One Direction, "Call me Maybe", songs with a crazy beat...they're almost required for summer. Lots of in-the-car karaoke and dancing will ensue. Obviously.

{eating} Breakfast at my desk
For breakfast this morning it was Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds, along with half a tablespoon of chia seeds. Chia seeds are so weird. I heard someone compare them to fairy eyeballs one time and haven't recovered. They're okay if I just don't think about their sliminess. *shudder* At least they're healthy, right?

{working on} Re-doing my dining chairs
I've been working on them for 3 weeks, but I'm still not finished with those dadgum chairs. Lemme just say that you've never faced a challenge until you decide to spray paint chairs on a tiny rental apartment porch. Anyone have a tutorial for removing spray paint from surfaces? Oops.

{wishing} I was off of work

Little Sister is currently at my apartment, probably eating a PB sandwich and watching a movie while still in her jammies. And the Boyfriend is most likely doing something similar. I, however, am in a chilly office with pretty much nothing to do. It's a super slow day, and I'm practically the only one here. Now I can't complain too much because obviously I'm lucky to have a job. But while it's great to make money and be self-sufficient, part of me wishes I was with the two people I love most right now (besides my parents). At least I get off soon. 1 more hour until freedom!

Friday's Fancies: Pretty Little Liars

I don't watch much TV. I don't have cable, and could honestly care less about most shows that are on right now. Pretty Little Liars is the exception, big time. I love the drama, I love that it's a little bit spooky (try watching it alone at night and you may agree), and I love the outfits. 

I envy Hannah's glamour, Emily's comfy cuteness, and Aria's ability to pull off even the most crazy outfits. But even when reading the books, I related most to Spencer. She's a stressed out overachiever with a stubborn must-win attitude, and I kind of love her. Maybe that's because I'm a lot like her. She's also a pro at looking polished and preppy.

Here are 2 outfits Spencer has worn recently that I decided to create:

 

I like these looks because they're easy, yet put-together. Perfect for going to class, running errands, or  casual Friday night fun.
I am so pumped for this weekend. Rodeo & BBQ with The Boyfriend's parents tonight, then road tripping with the Boyfriend tomorrow to pick up Little Sister from camp and bring her back with us. You don't know crazy until you get Little Sister and I together. The best part? She has no idea we're coming to kidnap her. Yay, surprises!
Happy Friday!

It's OK Thursday

{It's OK...}

*To go to Target multiple times a week

*To roam around Central Market on a weeknight just because you have nothing else to do

*To be annoyed by the immaturity of teenagers, even though you're not much older than them
(was I really that annoying?)
*To be ready for bed by 9pm (yawn)
*To LOVE grocery shopping just as much as cooking
*To be completely UN-inspired - some days are just like that
*To turn on your fan and wear a minimal amount of clothing so you can turn your
AC off as much as possible
*To eat that ice cream even though you haven't worked out in a month
*To justify the not working out by lending your sister your only pair of running shoes
*To want chips and salsa every. single. day. Hey, it's practically a vegetable! ;)
*To have a little bit of doubt sometimes. Just don't let it stress you out, kay?
*To really be looking forward to a 6 hour road trip, even if it starts at 2:30 in the morning
*To look in the mirror and say, "You are awesome and smart and beautiful". Just try it.

What are you Ok with today?

4 Months and Counting

Fair warning, this post isn't what most people would call "girly". But I was sucked into the hockey world and am currently just a little obsessed. Any others out there proving that you can be girly and truly enjoy sports at the same time? Anyone?

Okay. Well, with a win in game 6 Monday night, the Kings snatched the 2012 Stanley Cup from the Devils, making Stars fans everywhere (including the Boyfriend) groan and think "that could've been us". But lets not dwell on that fact for the moment. Now that hockey season is officially over, fans are definitely feeling a void. Am I right? And I know what that means: it's time to plan for next season. 

The planning of watching parties has begun. At this rate, I'll be more than ready come October. ;)

Coffee Tables

I can't tell you why, but I have a growing obsession with cute coffee tables. Maybe it's because I actually drink a lot of coffee and would use one. Or because I like doing my homework sitting on the floor at my coffee table in the apartment.
I'm especially fond of these tables. They're all a little bit unique, and I would be glad to have any of them in my future home. 

With the marble top and scrolled white bottom, this table would fit perfectly in a romantic shabby chic living room

This plush ottoman/table would provide extra seating for guests, and I love the nailhead trim and tufting

This one, even though it looks old and worn out, is kinda cute. It would be great in a farmhouse or refurbished barn. Plus, it would be easy and cheap to DIY

This would be so easy to recreate: a pallet, glass cut to fit, and 4 wheels attached to the bottom

This one is supposed to be for kids, but it's rugged enough to be a coffee table in a grown-up living room. Plus I love the concealed storage. I have a lot of junk :P

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Friendship Bracelets

If you're a 90s kid, friendship bracelets are old news. They were swapped between classes and summer camp, came in every color, and were treasured by girls everywhere. 

Now, arms stacked full of these grown up friendship bracelets are one of this summer's biggest trends. Here are a few I found and absolutely love!

{Click on the photos to see how they're made!}

And of course we can't forget the friendship bracelet wrapped headphones...I heard it takes forever, but they're great for keeping the cords untangled!

I've already made the 5th bracelet and it turned out great! I can't wait to pick up some embroidery thread and try the rest of them out. :)

In other news...it's Friday! And I get off of work right...now.

Have a fabulous Friday afternoon!

Wedding Videos

Linking up with Something Charming for Wedding Wednesday today. :)

I was cleaning my room at home the other day when I found my parents' wedding video. It was neat to look back on that day, especially since I wasn't there (obviously!). It got me thinking about wedding videos, and how you just don't see them much anymore. People are more concerned about the photos. I used to think that I wouldn't want my wedding videotaped, but my mom told me something interesting. She said that while photos are nice, there's something about videos that's special: the sound. It's hearing the voices of special people who have since left us, hearing yourself make those important vows, hearing people wish you and your husband well. That really struck me. I mean, photos of the shoes you wore are nice, but I'd much rather be able to watch my wedding over and over again. 

And so began my hunt for wedding videos. But I found that the most viral ones were not my style at all. They seemed over-produced, over-thought, and just a little bit fake. Maybe that's just me being cynical, but they were not my cup of tea. 

Then I found this stop motion video and fell in love. This video is amazing. It told the wedding story from beginning to end without any cheesiness or lipsyncing or over-the-top acting/dancing. And of course the stop motion was done very well. 

Then this one made me tear up. It's one of the most sweet, heartfelt videos I've ever seen. Ugh. So cute. Plus she had a gorgeous and modest wedding dress.

This last one is a combination of video and still photos, which was interesting to me. They used a Bon Iver song for this wedding video, which automatically makes it awesome. It perfectly captured the feeling of their romantic beach wedding.

What do you think about wedding videos? Did you/do you plan on having one? I think these videos might have changed my mind. 

Fortune Teller Chic?

I don't believe in supernatural happenings, but the whole thing is really intriguing to me. Tarot cards, horoscopes, David Blaine and his crazy magic...I enjoy all of those things, but am a total skeptic. However, when I get a fortune in my fortune cookie, I am all over that. But those things are always scary accurate for me. The Boyfriend probably thinks I'm crazy, and so do the people at Pei Wei. But I think I'll keep on believing in the magic of fortune cookies until proven otherwise. Anyone else feel this way or am I crazy? 

Well even if you don't believe in any of the above, here's a cute hairstyle I have named "fortune teller chic". I found this tutorial on how to tie a turban on the French Etsy blog and so desperately wish it would look as good on me as it does on this girl. It's so elegant, so easy, and so summer. It would make my third second-day hair look polished for work without having to spend a lot of time on it. That means an extra 15 minutes of "snuggling in my cozy bed" time. Win-win-win.

So easy, right? I feel a thrift store trip in my near future. Got to find a cute vintage scarf...now.

Photos from May

It's time for my month's photos once again. This time I'll be recapping May in 31 days and 31 photos. Here we go...

1. Peace - I tried taking a photo of something that represents peace for me, but this was a stressful day. So I just threw up the cliche'd peace sign for y'all

2. Skyline - The lovely city I call "homeish" for 9 months during the year 

3. Something that you wore today - My 2 favorite rings, and the remnants of a tie-dying experiment

4. Fun! - SpeechPath end of the year dinner

5. Bird - 2 pretty birdies flirting in the pet store

6. You - Trying out a giant poofy bun 

7. Someone that inspires you - The Boyfriend is just one of the people who I'm inspired by daily

8. A smell you adore - My lavender vanilla sleep spray...I put it on my bed almost every day because it just smells so good!

9. Something you do every day - My morning routine: take off glasses & put in contacts, take multivitamin, put on face moisturizer & makeup

10. A favorite word - "Laugh"; I think we should all laugh more often (it's good for you!)

11. Kitchen - My corner of the kitchen at home, where I do most of my cooking/baking

12. Something that makes you happy - My baby Louie always puts a smile on my face

 13. Mum - Cooking with Momma in the kitchen

14. Grass - By the big oak tree in our front yard

15. Love - I love Little Sister, my bestie. :)

16. What you're reading - Currently re-reading the Harry Potter series...now on book 3!

 17. Snack - Corn and bean salsa I made earlier this month...so yummy!

18. Something you made - Modest scalloped shorts

19. A favorite place - Home sweet home

20. Something you can't live without - My Bible; it's the lamp for my path, the light for my life

 21. Where you stand - On my new coffee themed kitchen mat; Momma bought it for me

22. Pink - A stack of pink ribbon next to an antique candle holder on my craft desk

23. Technology - My laptop (with my FB page up, of course!)

24. Something new - New fabric for my dining chairs; I can't wait to cover them!

25. Unusual - The candy jar is almost empty; There's always candy around at my parents' house

26. 12 o'clock - I dogsat during Memorial day weekend; Here's one of the cute puppies

27. Something sweet - Cookies from the high school Bible study at our house

28. The weather today - Beautiful blue skies with puffy cotton ball clouds

 29. A number - 2012 graduates are gearing up for the end of the school year

30. Your personality - A lamp; I'm not fancy & don't stand out, but people come to me when they're lost and need help

31. Something beautiful - I actually took this photo earlier in the month when the Boyfriend and I went to the botanic gardens...that fountain is so pretty!

You can find the June Photo-a-Day list here. Have fun!