I hope everyone had a super duper weekend. I had a good one - mostly piddled around doing the usual ole thang like shoveling candy corn in my mouth while watching movies, pretending to enjoy football, brunching, and OH, Moneyball {BP's still got it ya'll... don't let his current look steer you wrong}. I got a text from my BIL last night and he got my photos back from the lab - so here are the photos my fantastically talented photographer brother in law took of me up in Colorado when we were there for Labor Day weekend. I feel slightly vain but these are so fun and he did such an incredible job with the compositions and all around look of the photographs. I feel so lucky to have not one, but TWO very talented brothers. Thanks Brett. Youdda man. :)
Hey Friendlies! I hope everyone is having a good week so far. It's finally {sort of} starting to feel like Fall here in the big D. Very exciting stuff. One thing that really makes me feel fall-ish is when all my favorite television shows come back on. This means evenings spent cooking, having a glass of wine and settling down on my couch for some delicious r & r. :)
When I was a younger living at my parents house, I LOVED when the trees changed and the air got a little crisper. My elementary school was in my neighborhood so we would always walk to and from school. I loved this. I had lots of neighborhood friends and so we would all walk together. I loved walking home in the "coldish" weather, when the sky was all cloudy at 3pm. Just when I would be reaching the point of being too cold, I would have reached my driveway, open the door and be welcomed by warm air and the smell of something yummy brewing in the crock pot or on the stove. Mmmmmm I miss this. I would of course then grab a snack, park it on the couch, turn on Saved By the Bell or something and wait for dinner. I guess thats one of the reasons cold weather / fall weather is so warm to me.... takes me back to those moments of being in a home and with my family. I guess that's why we all probably like it. It's cozy! :) Ugh, that's all I want... just a little cozy house full of love. and chili. and cookies. :)
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So..................... sweet gratitude story. Sunday morning I was going to run some errands. I was walking to my car and the girl that parked next to me had this 6ft rectangular board situation happening lifted out of her trunk and so I asked her if she needed help. So, knowing she probably couldn't get it up by herself she said, that would be really nice, thanks! So, we hauled this heavy piece of glass {desk top} to the fourth floor {yes, there were elevators} and that was that. Didn't ruin my day and took about 10 min. No big deal. SO, today I find this on my car.
How sweet and unnecessary is this? At first I saw it and was confused, like, uhh, what did I do and who is Brittani? But then I was like, oooh yeah! Anyways, a thank you note and a star bucks gift card ... it made my day and made me smile! Paying it forward and being grateful for even the tinniest of things is something that I always try and do and it's really refreshing to see that in others, and even more so in strangers. :) Ahhhh.... gratitude makes the world go round, ya'll. Now I'm going to write her a thank you for my thank you and stick it on her door! By Golly! ha ha.
Alrighty ya'llllllllllllllllls - Imma about to bounce on outta this joint and get ready for "Tuesday Night Dinner" with my group of friends. The theme is "Ammmuuuurrrica! {red, white and blue" - I'm bringing a pepperoni pizza. Which is Italian but is also "red and white" so it works for me. :) We are also putting together some care packages for my sista A.ROSE's brother Woody who is in Afghanistan being all brave and amazing, and making us proud. THANKS WOODY! ..... and don't worry, I have all my shows DVR'd already.
Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.
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The winds that sometimes take something we love, are the same that bring us something we learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but, yes, love what we have been given. Because what is really ours is never gone forever.
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The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
So, this lyric is stuck in my head. Could possibly be because I listened to it non-stop yesterday? .... probably. My friend Erin sent it my way yesterday morning and I feel like it hasn't left my ears. {Sail - Awolnation}
I went shopping at lunch today... =/ Dolly Python is this really addictive vintage-y store and I can never leave without SOMETHING. Today was no different, I left with two pairs of {leather} boots and a poster all for under a hundy! STEAL! Usually my boots come from either Frye, Diesel, or Lucky {only one pair from there but I love them! mostly because they look like Frye's}. Spending hundreds of dollars on anything is hard but boots are the one thing I usually splurge on or ask for for Christmas or my birthday, because hey, they always fit and last forever. :) Today's purchases are at the exact weathered/worn stage that I try and get all my boots to. So I just had to get them. Here they are below. :) :) :) I have been looking for some black lace-ups for a year now & the tan ones were just too irresistible.
Numero UNO
{JUSTIN lace-ups... to be worn with skinny jeans, jorts, probably some scrunched socks, oversized sweaters, leggings, ya know....whatever my heart desires... yee-haw!}
Numero DOS
{eeeeeeeeeeks! I am in love. These were more than likely mens boots because I have GIGANTIC feet. But, dang. They will get worn a lot. I have a serious weakness for leather boots {anything}.
POSTER
{ Kinda saaaxy, right? It' so 90's and I love it.... I miss the 90's, so sue me ;) }
Okay, so I resigned my lease for another year and so I want to sort of continue working on decorating. Walking around the Dolly Python ... I was captivated by this image. GOODNESS. It's black and white and BIG. I'm going to re-frame it with either a black or white frame {and possibly covering up the text.. (is that bad?)} and put it on my "picture wall" - which I plan on reorganizing for a lil change up since it's been like that for a whole year!
Back from Colorado. Had a WONDERFULLY nice time. Perfect weather {jorts, hoodie, boots}, great company, relaxation, adventure, photoshoots, and baby lady. So, here are a bundle of photos for your viewing pleasure if you so choose to proceed down to the rest of the post... :)
Packing up!
Once I got to the house we mostly hung around, "played" with Ava, watched football, watched movies, I went running everyday { gettin my Biel on :) }, grilled burgers & steaks, biked {not me}, shopped, hiked, walked, soaked in the sun, read, ate, & just enjoyed the company of
each other.
oooooooo my sweet thang.
Below is where I would rest after my runs... I don't know if you all have ran in the mountains, but DANG, its hard on the lungs. So I would sit back here on this amazingly comfy chair and listen to music. During this particular time, my sweet mama brought me out a bangin turkey sandwich and a DDP. She knows me. :) {Having someone make you a sandwich is such a good, simple, sweet gesture... my mom is da best!}
........ along my run .......
My B.I.L. is a photographer and we went out and did a photoshoot around the mountains, in this open valley and then by this cabin. He shot with film so I am really excited to see the pics!! My {somewhat vain} intention was to get a photo of myself like this....
........ which we did a few different ones like this. I love it because it looks so freeing and liberating. Oh, and the combo of blouse/cutoffs are my "go-to" outfit. But then somehow it turned in to an all out photo shoot. haha. so. we shall see!! We took a few by this little stream. PURTY! {aint it?}
Most mornings these two would come and visit me on the couch until everyone else woke up. 7:30am wake up on vacation? OF COURSE! {only if this little baby lady is involved though...}
... this video melts my heart.... ava LOVES her mama. ALL smiles :)
{please excuse my manly laugh}
My siblings :) Brett "B.I.L." - Claire "Sister" - John "Juanny Honny" and baby lady, Ava, of whom I also refer to as, "sister" :)
Me and Daddio :)
........... couch naps with Ava :)
Ended my trip {at the airport for 5 hours before my flight} with Panda Express {fried rice, orange chicken}, Vogue (Sept issue {big mama!}), and BASSNECTAR!!!
All in all - WONDERFUL trip. I hope everyone had a good weekend as well. It finally feels like Fall in Texas!!! HECK YAHHHHH! :)
Hey friends! This is a very short post but I just wanted to share a few quotes and a song. C.S. Lewis seems to always say it exactly right. Can we agree? I love it. What a comfort. Speaking of comfort, I swear every time I see my niece or a photo of her my heart just stops and she makes me remember {to remember} all that is important in life. She has no idea she does this to me, but she does. She keeps me grounded and hopeful. What a gift that baby girl is. Love her to the moon & back. She turned 9 weeks old yesterday... :) Below is her 9 week glamour shot. Gaw - what an expression. Melts my heart...
c.s. lewis is the man.
There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.
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You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.
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The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.
