5 things i love right now

1. this song, "your dog," by soccer mommy



i first discovered soccer mommy (real name sophie allison) by way of her song "try" on my spotify discover weekly playlist. of course, probably because of the name, i imagined a fellow early 30-something woman singing it and was SHOCKED to discover she's 20 years old. ugh, the youth, i know. but she's really good and her lyrics are wise beyond her years and she's like a liz phair for the next generation (fingers crossed). this tune in particular, from her excellent new album clean, just stuck with me. to quote her instagram bio, it's "chill but kinda sad" bedroom pop, which we all need sometimes.

2. chris d'elia's instagram 

given my immense love for chris, i'm not sure why i wasn't following him until a few weeks ago, but it was probably because i avoid following most celebrities since i find them annoying and spammy. however, i've been missing out on some amazing content. it's the captions that really make it:

3. this guy, cade foehner, on the american idol reboot




you guys all know that i was quite probably the last person in the entire world watching the original incarnation of idol (something about it just makes me all warm and fuzzy and happy, unlike the weirdly soulless and hollow quality of the voice #shade), so it shouldn't be any surprise that i took a chance on the new version. however, i'm pretty shocked to say that even without simon and randy and the "pitchy, dawg"s and the making fun of people, i'm really into this take on it. even katy perry, who usually annoys me, has an amusing dynamic with lionel richie and luke bryan.

anyway. i was watching the other night and this guy just blew me away with his raw, bluesy rendition of "feel it still" by portugal. the man (singing starts at 1:08). he has it all: a great voice, commanding stage presence, and a fucking dreamcatcher on his guitar. calling it now that he's going to be in the top 5. side note: i was home for easter while watching it and my mom just started laughing as soon as he came on screen and goes "there's your guy!" my immediate response: "i just know there is a southern, long-haired, lanky, age-appropriate man out there for me and i will not rest until i find him!"

4. this thrift store sweatshirt i barely resisted 

so it wasn't this exact one, but it had the california raisins and it just said "raisin hell." after milling around the store, not being able to stop thinking about it, i marched up to the counter.


"i need to know. how much is that california raisins sweatshirt in the window?"
"40 bucks."
"maaaan...."
(guy smirks) "i know. i know."

i've been thinking about it every day since. being a responsible, grown-ass woman is truly the worst!

5. this podcast, style your mind

i love me some inspirational podcasts, and this is probably the best one i've found. it's just for ladies (sorry, dudes), and hosted by a woman who worked a corporate job she hated until quitting to start her own business in her 30s. a new episode drops every monday, and it's chock-full of practical tips for pursuing your dreams, manifesting your desires, and adding a little luxury to every day. it just puts you in a darn good mood and makes you feel like you can conquer the world. because you can, man.

virtual housewarming party!

after just about 2 months and lots of comcast and couch drama, i'm FINALLY all settled into my new home, and i had some friends over this past weekend to celebrate! i'm pretty proud of my new abode, since it's the first place that i've completely been able to decorate exactly as i'd like. i thought i'd give y'all a peek. so queue up this spotify playlist, pour yourself a glass of wine, and have a look around!

living room! 

yes, i bought a bird lamp ... because i could.

bought this beacon street print at the sowa open market a few months before i moved to FL. still love it!

antique "kitchen" table & chairs!

(it says "delighted you're here")

the tree was entirely a project (lots of decals), but i think it came out pretty nicely, right?

lovers tarot print that i got at an art fair in orlando

the kitchen is always so sunny & i love it!

with the garland lit, at night

i also bought a bunch of stupid shit i didn't need, like this fake spice thing.

and this old mailbox, where i keep coupons.

the bathroom's a little dated, but i like it just fine.

and finally ... what 20-something girl DOESN'T have a decoupaged print of kurt cobain on her wall, amiright?!

delusions of anthropologie

I pull the fluffy, multicolored patchwork duvet cover off of the moss green pillows, and imagine how much sweeter my dreams would be if I were snuggled comfortably in that that antique brass display bed, clad in a whimsical cream-and-pink striped nightgown. Before I drift off to sleep, I page through Barbara Ireland’s 36 Hours: 125 Weekends in Europe, and plan an overseas getaway with my adoring, slightly scruffy boyfriend.

I wake in the morning and sip my French pressed coffee from a monogrammed ceramic mug, as I gaze out of my brownstone window at the bustling city block below. After a shower, where I try out my new cedar wood-scented goat’s milk soap, I slide open the bedroom closet to reveal a collection of dresses, sweaters, a-line skirts, and flowing blouses -- all in jewel tones and organized by color. It’s pretty brisk today, so I select a plum shift dress and goldenrod cardigan, accessorizing with a gray scarf, silver charm bracelet, and feather drop earrings. I lace up my ankle boots and take one last glance in the mirror, slathering some rosebud salve on my lips and throwing a soft chestnut leather satchel over one shoulder. 

The farmers market is abuzz this morning, and the delicious smells of fresh fruit and flowers mingle in the air with just-popped kettle corn and hazelnut lattes. I pull a piece of stationery -- replete with printed pastel birds -- out of my bag, and survey the list for tonight’s dinner party. A baguette to slice and spread thick with truffle butter, organic mushrooms for the ragout that will accompany the beef tenderloin, and five Granny Smiths for apple crisp a la mode. Once all of the ingredients are purchased, they go straight into the basket of my vintage bike, and along for the ride to a nearby park. I nestle under a shady oak, and spend the next few hours journaling in my Moleskine.

Upon my return home, I discover that my boyfriend has already started preparing dinner, and he gets up from the tufted teal settee to greet me. I inhale deeply, trying to identify each savory spice. While the beef is roasting, I uncork a bottle of pinot noir and pour two glasses. We slice apples into a copper pot as I pore over the crisp recipe, dog-eared in my gluten-free dessert cookbook. We share a brief, impromptu slow dance in the kitchen when Paolo Nutini’s “Loving You” begins playing from my laptop, before we’re interrupted by the familiar beep of the timer. 

The crisp is in the oven, the candles are lit, and our farmhouse table is set with hand-painted dishes, antique flatware, and paisley cloth napkins. It’s just about time to change into my lace cocktail dress, break in my slingback heels, and apply some lipstick. I’m in a muted mauve mood tonight. 

I slide off the sweater and dress, pull on my t-shirt, and button up my jeans. “Thanks,” I say, handing the garments back to the fitting room attendant, “but I need a little more time to think about this.”