A Gorilla Gives The Bird.

OH, THEY DIDN’T HAVE ANY BANANAS AT THE STORE? THAT’S A WONDERFUL STORY. THANKS FOR SHARING. I’M GLAD YOU CAME HERE TO TELL ME THAT INSTEAD OF GOING TO ANOTHER STORE.

HEY, GUESS WHAT, THOUGH? I GOT YOU SOMETHING EARLIER. BECAUSE WE’RE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS.

BOOM. THERE IT IS.

SHOW UP HERE WITHOUT MY ‘NANNERS AGAIN AND YOU’RE GOING HOME IN A BAG. NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT BEFORE I SAY SOMETHING I REGRET.

via ANIMALS TALKING IN ALL CAPS aka another great source of calorie burning via laughing. 

Pink.

I am on board with this little girl. I was never quite into the little girls must wear pink thing (I know... Huge Surprise!). So why do we continue the girls = pink and boys = blue tradition? What about the other colors like green, yellow, and purple?

I am going to actively avoid this tradition at baby showers this year. I believe in equal opportunity for baby and kids colors!

Erin Fetherston.

I am head over heels in love with every outfit in Erin Fetherston's Pre-Fall collection. Feminine and simple = Yes please. Here are a few of my faves...

Images via Erin Fetherston.

Teepees.

I used to go to summer camp when I was little and I loved it when I got to stay in the teepees all week. This room reminded me of a grown up version of that... I realized that I want to have a room in my house like this (or have a playhouse like this for my kids one day). Now I just need to have my dad build it for me :)

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

New Belgium Brewing Co - Clutch.

I am a beer drinker. Even though I am a girl, I have never been into wine. It just gives me a headache. Champagne = no problem; but wine = headache. Yeah, I do not get it either.

I am not a trained brew master. I have taken a few classes at Stone Brewing with "Dr." Bill, and I do drink mostly craft brews. J and I decided that we needed to start keeping track of which beers we had had and which ones we liked. So if you enjoy a great craft brew... Read on.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the most hellish set of finals I have ever taken then a 22 oz. beer. Well, maybe a few.

New Belgium describes it as a "two-part potion" which "was brewed with chocolate and black malts for a rich and roasty overtone, then fused with a dry, substratum of sour for a bold and audacious flavor. Black as night, this beer is blended at 80% stout, 20% dark sour wood beer for a collaboration that begins with a sour edge and finishes with a big, dark malt character, lingering, sweet on your palate."

I purchased the beer because I love sours and that bottle says "Dark Sour Ale". It was good, if you like stouts and dark beers. If you like sours and are not the hugest fan of dark beers, then I would not advise this one. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. I feel a little like I was conned. It is not a dark sour, it is a dark with a touch of sour. Even in the description online New Belgium claims that it is an 80% stout with only 20% being a dark sour.

Other than that, I would say that Clutch is a unique blend. The description online is accurate in that it boasts a rich and roasty overtone. The sour comes more in the aftertaste and is subtle. My only advice to New Belgium would be to remove the "Dark Sour" label or modify to reflect what it really is - a sour dark stout.

Stats:
Price - $8.99*
ABV - 9.0%
IBU - 19
Calories - 260
Hops - Target
Malts - Dark Chocolate, Coffee, Black
OG - 20
TG - 3.2
Fruits/Spice - Dark Wood Ale

*We always try to purchase our beer from PB Express Market in Crown Point. They have a GREAT selection, an awesome staff (Kim is the best!), and are a local small business. What more could you ask for?

Merry Christmas!

And now... My favorite Christmas video ever!



I hope you have an awesome time with your family... Cheers :)

p.s. If I were in this group I would totally be Tracy Morgan. I have that move DOWN!

Suri's Christmas List.

A Clover coffee machine.

A complete set of Lenox china in the Pearl Platinum setting (for the treehouse). 

Chanel No. 22 Classic Parfum — stocking stuffer.

Whatever iPhone case Victoria Beckham has.

A miniature horse.

A regular-sized horse.

A Tiffany horseshoe pendant in diamonds and rose gold to wear while riding either horse.

Enough CROX stock so I can burn the company to the ground. (Figuratively.)

The complete series of Mad Men on Blu-Ray, plus a lunch date with Matthew Weiner to discuss my ideas for next season.

I’d like to have a U.S. Senator in my pocket. Preferably not a freshman. Preferably on the Appropriations Committee.

The Missoni for Target bicycle — I don’t know how this became a status symbol, but it did and so I want one.

A long weekend at George Clooney’s villa on Lake Como, including yacht access. Not including Katie Holmes.

Real estate is also always nice, too.

via Suri's Burn Book. 

This website consistently makes me laugh... And who doesn't like laughing? :)

Blinded By The Lights.

The Streets + Nero... How could you go wrong?

Blinded By the Lights (Nero Remix) by Meg-iberish

NYE 2012.

If I could order my outfit for NYE from anything online, and receive no bill, THIS is what I would order.

























NYE 2012. by hargrove 




Alexander Wang tee shirt dress
£201 - liberty.co.uk





Burberry Brit gabardine coat
£490 - net-a-porter.com





Brian Atwood leopard pumps
$550 - net-a-porter.com





Effy Collection white gold jewelry
$1,325 - lordandtaylor.com





Zadig Voltaire cross jewelry
£110 - zadig-et-voltaire.com





Oversized earrings
tacori.com

Happiness.

Source: tumblr.com via Lauryn on Pinterest

Elvis Is In The Building.

I know that these blue velvet loafers are so Elvis but I want them.

Cooperative Velvet Loafer, $34 from Urban Outfitters.

Sidenote: When I was working at my old job we were building a few bikes for Mickey Rourke. The first time he came in he tried to channel Elvis. He wore blue velvet loafers, tight black leather pants, a white button down, and a blazer. Attempt - Fail. However, I still want the shoes. I will just style them better :)

Guilty #2.

Unlike The Hangover, this sequel is better than the original.

Favorite Christmas Song.

I grew up on The Beatles and John Lennon. This song was always played in my house and remains my favorite Christmas song. The lyrics are amazing and applicable in almost any era. Merry Christmas!

John Lennon - 19 - Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by cemkaplan75

It's Ok.

From the moment I saw this banner I loved it. To me it's a little bit quirky, a little bit summer camp, and a little bit Tony Robbins. Since I purchased it I have seen it on multiple blogs and this excites me. The more it is published on blogs and shared on pinterest the more success it brings a small business with handmade items. Yay!

"IT'S OK" Banner from Secret Holiday. 

What do you think? Do you like it? Would you hang it in your house? 

p.s. There is also a "YES" version available. 

Chargers Are Back.

The Chargers decided to bring it. Why? Because, irrespective of the six straight losses, it is December. The Chargers do not lose in December. It is our month.

The Q after the Chargers win tonight.

Beer.

J and I have become beer snobs. It all started about two years ago. J's birthday is on NYE and we never got to celebrate it with our friends. So I threw him a surprise party where we took a party bus from the beach to Stone Brewery. From that point on we were hooked on Southern California hoppy beers.

Well they don't have these types of beers in Switzerland. They have blondes, trippels, or wheat beers (what J calls "girlie beers"). So whenever I go to visit I bring a suitcase for my clothes, and a suitcase full of 22 oz. beers for J.

Last week J came back to SD for work and they flew him business class. Business class = (3) 70 lb. bags checked for free = 33 beers going home with J.

Before...

Unpacking...

Still Unpacking (there are several layers of bags and protection)....

The Goods.

Bloglovin'.

My blog obsession started a few months ago and has grown exponentially and quickly. At first I followed the fashion blogs with outfit posts for inspiration. Then I was introduced to a few great design blogs. Then it was recipes, many of which I have tried and they were YUMMY! Every new one I read, and I like, leads to at least one more that I read and I like, which leads to at least one more... You get the idea.

Originally I had a tab on my bookmarks bar that had links to all of the blogs I would read. It was a little annoying, especially when the list got so long that I would have to scroll down. Then I discovered Bloglovin'...



Game changer. I LOVE this website. It has allowed me to read ALL of my blogs in an organized fashion (I am very organized in my reading of blogs, emails, etc.), introduced me to new blogs, and allowed me to save posts that I love for later reference (the wallpaper that was amazing, the recipes that I wanted to try, etc.). So if you like reading blogs then give it a try. It is free. What do you have to lose?

Guilty.

http://twitter.com/#!/shitgirlssay

Not of ALL of it. But some of it.

Dollar Bills Y'All.

... Actually Dollar Coins Y'All. Just received these as change from the vending machine.

In Switzerland and most of Europe (Euro countries, Great Britain, etc.), they have coins for currency up to 5 dollars (or their equivalent). At first I was a little weirded out by it because I was not used to carrying so much change but then I got used to it. Now I must admit that I prefer it. I can wash my clothes without fear that I am tearing/losing money left in my pockets. I can easily use the coins in vending machines. Let's just face it - Metal is stronger and more durable than paper. Also, the Europeans may be smarter than us in respect to at least one thing. 

Our country could save some dinero using more coins and less bills. 

Let's do the math: 

- Life Expectancy of a Dollar Bill: 18 to 22 months 

- Cost of Production: 4.2 cents

- Life Expectancy of a Coin: 25 years

- Cost of Production: Goden Dollar (21.14 cents); Half Dollar (16.97 cents); Quarter (7.33 cents); Dime (3.14 cents); Nickel (4.56 cents); Penny (0.93 cents). 

Therefore:

The cost of one dollar to be in circulation for 25 years in bill form = 57.27 cents (given a generous 22 month life expectancy). 

The cost of one dollar to be in circulation for 25 years in coin form = 21.14 cents.

That is a savings of over 50%!!!

Granted, I am not running for office. But if I were I would use this as part of my platform. 

And no, I am not an American that believes that America knows the best way to do everything. I am not being unpatriotic. I just believe that we can all learn from each other. 

(information provided by The United States Mint)

Brown Breads.

Do you know the brown breads in the Chex mix or Gardetto's? You either love them or hate them. I LOVE them. They are pretty much the only thing I eat in those mixes. Well I recently learned that you can get a whole bag of ONLY brown breads. Yes, I understand that they are "Roasted Garlic Rye Chips", but to me they will always be brown breads. That is what they were called before they gained enough notoriety to garner their own spinoff. 

Heaven. 

Spotify.

Nothing short of amazing. I am so addicted that it is not even funny. It is like itunes, combined with Pandora, integrated with FB, with a dash of soundcloud. If you have not discovered it yet you are seriously missing out. Here are a few tips to get the most out of it (p.s. Can you tell that I am currently in outlining mode - thank you finals.):

1. Go Premium. It is $9.99/month and you get no commercials, access to extra music, and you can sync all your playlists on your mobile for playback (even when you don't have wifi - i.e. the plane). Best $9.99 I spend a month.

2. Check out what your friends are listening to. You can allow FB to import your friend list and check out what they are listening to. I have a few friends with amazing taste in music. I now "stalk" what they are listening to.
BUT: Please disable the broadcast on FB feature. While I love to find out what some people are listening to. I do not want a FB update every time you listen to something. Especially if you listen to bad music.

3. Listen to Artist Radio. When you search for an artist and click on their name you get tabs at the top of the page. On the right should be artist radio. Great way to listen to a similar genre (i.e. Kaskade for studying) and discover new artists.

4. Discover Other Great Artists. When you search for an artist, the top of the page will display similar artists. Go ahead. Click on them. Check them out.

5. Share your playlists. My friend Long | Distance | Drunk has been creating monthly playlists for a long time. He shares them on spotify. The best thing about this - You aren't getting in trouble with the government for pirated music because as long as it is on spotify and you have premium (see above) you can have a local file on your computer of the song (or on your mobile).

I also have created a few great playlists. I generally create three for each semester to get me through studying (according to the subject and time of day). You can listen to my chill, dance, or rock mixes.

And yes. I do listen to, and subscribe to, cw mixes. And I watch the shows. cw has one of the most AMAZING music departments on network television. I will gladly admit to my love of the cw. Even at age 29.

What are you currently addicted to, music wise? I am always down to discover new, good music.

Justification.

(Dress: Zara, $159)


I need justification to purchase this dress. (aka I need some event or place to wear this.)
Please help!

Speaking of Music.

This one gets my booty shaking every time. Got ready with it in the background this weekend.

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (Yeasayer Remix) by Pretty Much Amazing

All Things Vintage. Especially Music.

I grew up on rock. Classic rock to be exact. I had to know who sung every song on KGB (the classic rock station in San Diego). I hated it when I was younger but so appreciate it now. My parents are amazing for the life lessons they have taught me, especially the one about how important music can be. 

These designs are all unique. A company called Made-Craft will customize one for you if you have a spare $650-$1000 laying around. I am a law student. Therefore, I do not have much of anything besides law books laying around. Until I do I will add this to my lust list. Someday :)

A Little Bit Rock, A Little Bit Roll.

A little bit rock, a little bit roll. by hargrove featuring a boston bag

Ralph lauren cardigan
£1,327 - stylebop.co.uk

The Row striped sweater
$1,575 - net-a-porter.com

Balmain leather pants
€3.000 - shopmrsh.com

Jeffrey Campbell lace up wedge booties
$135 - ssense.com

Yves Saint Laurent black jewelry
£1,105 - matchesfashion.com

Swarovski black watch
$850 - swarovski.com

Chan Luu wrap bracelet
$270 - net-a-porter.com

Stackable ring
$42 - theoutnet.com

Noemi Klein butterfly earrings
£85 - farfetch.com

The Odds That You Exist.

This is an amazing reality check. Now I am going to make sure that I make that existence worth every second...

Rap Lyrics.

Have you ever just read rap lyrics and wondered WTF?!? Earlier this year I was stumped by the lyrics to Wiz Khalifa's "Roll Up":


"I ain't gonna flex, I’m not gonna front
You know if I ball, then we all gonna stunt"

Huh?!? Still can't figure it out. However, Watch The Cradle does a great job of putting them in context of children's everyday activities, a glimpse of what Jay-Z can expect very soon.

Luxe Lotto.

Rose a la Mode and The Good Life for Less have released this month's Luxe Lotto giveaway and I am stoked... a clutch, a necklace, a set of stylish bowls, and... a kindle!

You can enter to win at both Rose a la Mode and The Good Life for Less... Good luck!

I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy.

This video is amazing. It just get better as it goes on. I was laughing so loud by the end of it.

Priorities.

Linda at Rose a la Mode posted today about focus. In an effort to focus on things that are important to her, Linda decided to take a month off from shopping. Genius! I so need this!

I went thrifting this past weekend. I think I might have done it in an effort to justify the feeling of something new without the guilt of the charge. I could have used the time and effort to do a long run (I should be training more for my half-marathon), read for classes, log some hours at work, etc. I need to take a step back and look at where I invest my time, effort, and limited funds. :)

Therefore, I am not going to shop for myself for a month. The only way I will be allowed to shop is if I get a discount on the item and: (i) it is for a Christmas gift, or (ii) it is for J's need of an American product. (Can you tell that I am a lawyer-in-training by establishing elements of a standard to my shopping?)

Good Feeling.

Avicii and Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" definitely gives me a good feeling!

Good Feeling - Avicii Feat. Flo Rida by DJ Tomkat

Lucky Daily Deals.

Long before the days of Groupon and Living Social, Lucky Magazine started offering 50% off of one fabulous item each day. I have scored some great deals in the past: Ray-Ban sunglasses, Matt Bernson flats, and most recently these Matt Bernson booties...

I saved over $100 on these beauties! I was searching for a similar pair after seeing how well Amanda of Off Of Broadway styles her tan booties. When I received the email, I could not pass these by. So go sign up for the Lucky's Deal of the Day. It is a discount email you will actually be excited to get!

Fantasy.

Fantasy Football that is. Scored a "W" by almost 50 points! When your life is as up and down as mine you take any "W" you can get. Small victories!

Ben Howard.

Live Creating Yourself. introduced me to this amazing singer. I want to make this. Who is in with me?

His debut album, Every Kingdom, is available on itunes and on spotify. Check it out.

Clean Up Nicely.

Title comes from the comment I have often received. "Wow! You clean up nicely." Such a back handed comment. Why does the saying persist?
Really?! Do I normally look like sh*t?
The way I rationalize it: I would rather have the power to impress, the power to "clean up nicely."