Black & Gold: Fashion

Before E's first deployment, as we began our transition from years of being "just friends" to being a couple, we only had a brief period together to sustain us through a year of separation. During that time, a lot of things felt exceptionally important. Talking. Sharing old memories. Creating new ones. Being side by side.

Annika Aschberg

And, for me, somehow so did making sure E was aware I was a "silver girl." I figured it couldn't hurt to offer some guidelines should he decide at some point to give me a gift of jewelry. Gold just wasn't my thing! When telling him this, I might have used the word "hate."

For our first Christmas as a couple, one spent on opposite continents, E gave me a silver bracelet. He had taken my words to heart.

James Bennett

Then, while E was still deployed, something happened. At first, I swore it was a one time thing, but slowly I realized it was more than a passing flirtation. I found myself adoring gold.

So, I added a pair of gold earrings to my jewelry collection. Soon after, a set of gold bangles found their way home with me too. In a state of utter bliss, my love affair continued.

James Bennett

I failed to confess my change of heart to E, but it wasn't long after he returned home that he discovered it for himself. One afternoon, I watched surprise and disbelief flash across E's face as he registered the color of metal hanging from my ears, and he exclaimed, "I thought you hated gold?!"

Perhaps hate was too strong a word.

L: Urban Outfitters. R: Tory Burch.


Anthropologie

Left and Right: Anthropologie

ModCloth


L: Tory Burch. R: Badgley Mischka.


tuleste market


L: Lizzie Fortunato Jewels. R: Fiona Paxton.


Alanna Bess.


L: Landver. R: Forever 21.

Forever 21

L: Free People. R: Ippolita.

Tag Team, Back Again*

Wow! I was tagged again, this time by the hilarious Kimberlee of Brown Button (I love her blog,) and the lovely Vicki of French Essence (which I've only just discovered, but I am enchanted already.) I am certainly quite honored! So, here goes.

The Rules
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules
3. Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself
4. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them
5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

The Facts
1. My husband and I have two dogs; one dog weighs 80 lbs and the other only weighs 18! Quite opposites in size, but they get along famously.
2. I dogear the pages of books as I read, but I never dogear the pages of magazines.
3. In case you haven't guessed by my header, I am a complete night owl!
4. I somehow know the words to a lot of songs, and I always sing along. In high school, one of my friends said, "Geez! Do you know the words to EVERY song?" I think she may have been annoyed by my singing, but, then as now, I just can't help myself!
5. I love dark chocolate, but completely pass on milk chocolate.
6. While certainly no one would call me a neat freak (Mom, are you laughing?) I simply can't stand to cook in a messy kitchen. It must be clean before I can mess it up again!

As a kid, I always preferred "Freeze Tag" to the regular version. What that means in relation to this I have no idea. But I am terribly indecisive at times, and right now, I can't decide who to tag. I would love finding out more about you all though, so please feel free to leave comments and play along!

*Yes, that is "Whoomp (There It Is)"

Dreaming of Apple Picking

My family visited the same apple orchard every fall when I was younger. I always looked forward to those trips; there was something comforting and a little magical about getting to pick apples straight from the tree. I also loved getting fresh apple cider from the farm and spending time with my family.

I haven't been apple-picking since high school, but I would love to be these girls this weekend! I don't know of any apple orchards in our vicinity, but a girl can dream.

Photo by Corrie Bond

I think I may content myself with finally making that Apple Crisp! What are your plans for the weekend?

Tag! You're It.

Image flickr baklein62

I was tagged today by sweet Kate at Kids & Cocktails. It's my first tag too, so, this is rather exciting!

4 things I did today
1.) Went grocery shopping
2.) Finally bought the newest Domino
3.) Played Frisbee with one of my pups
4.) Watched my husband solder my laptop power cord to make it functional again! It was a scary moment when I thought it was a goner. He is definitely my hero!

4 things on my to-do list
1.) Learn how to fly a plane (long term to-do!)
2.) Travel to Russia... and Peru... and India... and Ireland... and New Zealand... and ok, I'll stop here because truthfully the list is almost endless!
3.) Make Apple Crisp- I've been wanting to make some for days, but haven't gotten around to it.
4.) Finish some wedding thank-you notes (ack! I know, Mom! Some of the gifts only came in recently though.)

4 of my guiltiest pleasures
1.) The Hills & Army Wives...hokey shows? Yes. Am I addicted? Yes.
2.) Currently, Peanut Brittle Ice Cream (sadly, a seasonal flavor)
3.) Magazines (see below...)
4.) Starbucks (which I haven't had in a while b/c I've been making my coffee at home every day. Oh, but a flavored soy latte and slice of pumpkin loaf- yum!!)

4 random things you probably didn't know about me
1.) I've been a vegetarian for 12 years, although for the last 6 or so, I have only been a semi-veg, as, on occasion, I will eat fish.
2.) I am a complete magazine-addict and have a degree in Magazine Journalism, but I've never worked at a magazine.
3.) I hate tomatoes (it's a texture thing,) but I love tomato-things: tomato soup, tomato-based sauces, salsa, etc. Oh, and fried green tomatoes- delicious!
4.) In second grade when my youngest brother was born, I told my entire class his name was the one I had wanted, rather than the name my parents actually had given him! Embarrassing when I was busted two weeks later... :)

Thanks Kate!

If you'd like to participate, consider yourself tagged! Leave a comment; I'd love to read your list.