{Goals}

So, this was my goal costume for Halloween -- well, this is the PG version :).

Trust me, if the jacket I'm wearing were this forgiving, I would be set.  Because I am totally an emotional eater, and I've got this super big deadline tomorrow that I've been pushing to meet.  And I was at work today for 13 hours, so I rewarded myself with... yup, pure awesomeness.

{Magic Robot}

AND

jujuhoodoo

But hey, I've still got a little hope left: I saw this commercial for the Neck Slimmer!

oh. man.

Celebration Weekend!

My co-worker is getting married today -- Happy Wedding Day, Kara!

(c) Stephanie Williams

AND, yesterday, I got an early birthday gift :)!  My in-laws are the bestest.

Seriously, though, isn't my mother-in-law sooo talented? It's almost ridiculous, except I love it *way* too much :)

And what did I get for my sister, who also shares my birthday?

Culinary Fool

Okay, I know it looks lame -- but my sister *is* this easy, isn't she awesome :)  And she's also getting...

Ageel

ME!  Well, maybe I'm driving in to see her :D  I could definitely stay in town to do some cleaning, but we'll see :)  Hope all of you have a fabulous weekend!

so what i need right now

(via papertissue)

Note to Self

Any of you ever feel like writing yourself a little pep-talk-note?

Studio Choo on Design*Sponge

feat. Diana Fayt

Dear Self:

Oooookay.  So, we may have looked at our schedule ... a little incorrectly.  Maybe "Brief due on 9/28" along with "Objections due on 9/24" didn't quite register as "due Monday after Thursday deadline, and you don't work on Fridays."

But that's okay.

We can do this.

We don't have to have a work party on Saturday, we *can* avoid the office.

Go Cara, You can do it!  The flowers are an advance for the fabulous afternoon/night/maybe early Friday morning-but-that's-it! of work :)

xoxoxo,

me.  

Let's Celebrate!

rainsoaked

Kids, pop open a bottle of bubbly & celebrate with me: I just got off mentor review!  Sixteen months in, and now I'm a proper Grown-Up -- double woot!!

Really, though, bust out a bottle and we'll pretend it's on me ;)  My personal fave?  Cranberry juice and the bubbly :)

just {sigh}

sometimes, i forget how much i love my office view.  you know, not thinking about how i'm in my office, rather than outside enjoying that beautiful sunshine that's starting to come through, post rain days.  but really, it's crazy how the fracturing of light can just be breathtaking, right?

Woot woot!

{+}

That's right, double woot -- Yesterday's geek out is *nothing* compared to today's!! My co-worker friend just called me, and the brief I wrote + the case she argued WON! AND IT'S IN A PUBLISHED OPINION! THAT NEVER HAPPENS! omg, geek out to the max right here. I'm not gonna lie, I wish it were my name that's going on the books, but b/c my friend argued it, it'll be hers -- but I know she *kicked @$#* in NOLA, and it's great law for us :) So cheers to us!

{geeking out}

{mostaque}

So, it's not like I forget that I'm a big nerd, but... yeah, maybe I do :D I just got *uber* excited at work because I'm making an argument that's really pushing the envelope. Um, not that it's super exciting probably to, oh, anyone else in the world -- but it's just that I'm putting together a bunch of new cases, almost like putting puzzle pieces together, that haven't ever been put together before (at least, not in one Published Puzzle, let's say that!), and maybe, if what I put together is solid enough, we can finally get that Published Puzzle!! And that would make our lives just a smidge easier :)

ee. so. geeking. out. i love it.

Happy Birthday, J!

{Lisa Lefkowitz, event styled by Gloria Wong, feat. on Style Me Pretty}

Happy Birthday, J! It's like Style Me Pretty knew the prettiest cake had to be featured on your birthday! [We'll ignore that it's a wedding cake...]

And again, I'm sorry I dropped the ball on your cake balls.

{bakerella}

So to make up for it... your very own etsy earring collage :)! Because you always have the most fabulous earrings :)

Row 1:Dal Mare; birdzNbeez

Row 2: rayfa ; friedasophie
Row3: thejewelrybar; loriyab

And all things fabulously 'Jessica' on etsy :)
Row 1: Poppy Raye Studio; Selena Designs
Row 2: Helen Marie Designs;Marolsha
Row 3: Quirky Beauty; fashionrefined

Cheers to your 28th!

Mountains of work

{Patrick Smith Photography}

But this mountain photography is so breathtaking, I feel like I can handle this crazy work happening.

{Patrick Smith Photography}

{Mr. Ullmi @ flickr}

And Miley's Climb -- hee. I know this is just work stressing me right, but just hearing Climb totally lifts me up :)

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

© Hopeless Rose Music; Vistaville Music; Miley Cyrus

{Xindaan @ flickr}

I just want to curl up with a good book

{Horchow}

Man. This is one tough month at work. Even tougher because my boss team leader has a bunch of deadlines she has to meet too, and her second has been + will be out for various (good) reasons, plus has tough deadlines to meet too. I mean, yes, we've all got deadlines, but usually they're extendable. Until, well, we've maxed them out, or they're in a higher court. And that's where all of us are right now.

But if I could just indulge, I would snag that chaise above + just rest. Um, even though I've been off since last Wednesday on the river. But man, being *thrown* back into this -- egads.

And I was possibly going to drive a few hours to see my lovely friend Bee while she's in the state, visiting from California -- yesterday, after the family reunion, and then drive into work today straight from her place. But then I was selfish + decided to rest up (I know, rest up from vacay?) so I could gear up for today. I'm sad I missed her + my other friend Kay, who made the drive from another city several hours away -- But frankly, I think my company would not have been as fabulous as they both deserve, and today-- well, I'd probably be more miserable than I am. Which is pretty crappy at the moment -- kinda one of those sinking-in-the-chest (yes, chest, not stomach) feelings, boo.

But yes. Beautiful chair in the tiny office would be lovely. And I imagine a phone call later tonight, I might make, if I won't be terrible phone-company either. Sorry, friends! You know I heart you, but being up sometimes is ... just a bit hard. But holy jeebus, (I suppose in a completely materialistic way) these Horchow furnishings are quite the uplifters (and me, figuring out how to get them in jpegs, yea!)

[Too luxurious and princess-evoking to stay un-delighted]

[Too cheery to see above]

[Princessy + casual luxe]

Movin on up...

Oh, the memories....


Now:

And Green Chair, how I will miss you so. But your new friend loves you just as much as me. And I'll still visit. I'll be right around the corner, enjoying my view of the Capitol's reflection in the mirrored windows right outside my new space. But I just didn't think you could take the flood of light I hope my new space carries, even if it is reflected off the white marble walls next to those mirrored windows. But hey, more light, you know how I love light!

Um, and okay, you just don't match. And are very cute solo, yes, but I can't justify being selfish + keeping you AND the pair of matching chairs I've got. And the friend who's got your brother just isn't giving him up. Ever. But again, your new friend *loves* you just the way you are.

But thanks for the great memories! See you around :)

PS: Happy Work Bday to me (and my work-twin, J)!

(Photo credit: chrissthegirl)

Whoo! Today's the day I hit One Year at work! Maybe it sounds a little crazy that I'm actually genuinely excited -- but I love my work. I heart the people I work with. I loooove my office. This is earth-shattering to me, to enjoy what I do/workplace/people for longer than 6 mos, to not fall asleep at work after the first 6 weeks (seriously, I have such a short attention span -- hello, enter this blog! but this is a happy escape, not a desperately-needed-escape) -- to be *happy* at work!

Seriously, we're busting out the big cake for this one....

{bakerella}

i could go for one of these

{miss.mallory @ flickr}

good news + bad news: i found out i got passed over for this awesome opp @ work. understandable b/c i'm still "new," but then it's kinda crap b/c the reason cited for me not getting it isn't anything i can help. everyone's on different teams, so the rates at which people are "eligible," i'll say, are soo varied. i'm afraid i'm getting kinda shafted + it reflects poorly on me, when i think it's just different methods, and isn't (all) mee i'll just hope the decision-maker can see history + maybe sees each team works differently. i hope :(

but the plus: my friend got it instead! seriously, that makes it 10x better, not being able to keep this. although, when i feel kinda crappy, maybe that doesn't say much :D, but it's the best i've got. and this is so minor... but still, cupcake-worthy, for sure.