Jumping for Joy

Wednesday was an awesome day. I woke up to news that State Senator Wendy Davis's filibuster against an egregious antiabortion bill in the Texas Senate actually worked. Feeling cheery and optimistic, I decided to wear this crazy Asos neon shirt dress I got from Gwynnie Bee.

I'd slept with my hair in buns Tuesday nights with the hopes I'd acheive beachy waves, and it actually worked! 

Outfit: Dress- Asos Curve via Gwynnie Bee; Sandals- old Payless similar; Belt- thrifted

A women's rights victory, a bright dress, and beachy wavy hair Could this day get any better?

Well, yes. Before I'd even finished my morning coffee the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, is unconstitutional. DOMA kept legally married same-sex spouses from getting federal benefits allotted to other married couples. The federal government has finally recognized that love is love. and that makes me want to jump for joy. 

While that decision, and the decision regarding California's Prop 8 don't make same sex marriage a constitutional right, they are certainly a step in the right direction. Hopefully we'll see more states join Massachusetts, Maryland, and co. in recognizing that love is love, no matter your gender. 

Reluctant Bostonian

I don't think I can consider myself a blogger any more. I haven't posted on a regular schedule since last summer! Sometimes I'm just not into it. I get busy doing other things- my volunteer and organizing work, spending time with my man, diy manicures, watching marathons of The L Word on netflix... 

..and then I realize that it's been two weeks since I posted even though I have several outfit photos ready to go. These were actually taken about three weeks ago.

Outfit: Shirt and Jeans- Old Navy; Shoes- H&M

I want to thank everyone that has showed support for this amazing city I live in. It has been one hell of a few weeks. I know there are more horrific things going on all around the world all the time. I'm incredibly thankful to live somewhere where explosions and wild police chases are not the norm.

I didn't love this city when I moved here in December 2009. I figured I'd stay for 6 months, maybe a year, and then I'd move back to Austin, TX. Then I met Mike and made some awesome friends. I discovered the beauty of New England summers and autumns, and I fell in love. I stopped thinking about where I wanted to move next, and started thinking about which neighborhood I'd want to settle down in some day.

I'm proud to live here, and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.

Close to Home

As I'm sure most of you know, there was a bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon yesterday. Here's a little bit of writing I did last night before bed to try and wrap my head around the tragedy.

 I've been trying for the past few hours to distract my mind from what happened today. What started this afternoon as a surreal feeling of disbelief has become a feeling of great heaviness on my heart. This is my home. I live a little more than a mile from where this event occurred. For almost two years I passed through the Copley area on my way to work every day.

Copley Square is one of my favorite places. Copley Square is a melting pot of tourists, corporate professionals, street musicians, students, and panhandlers. Copley Square is tall gleaming sky scrapers next to the marble pillars of America's first public library and the old brick of the Trinity Church. Copley Square is a public green space that hosts a farmers' market two evenings a week during the growing season. Copley Square is food trucks, demonstrations, city buses festivals, holiday lights, and ice sculptures. Copley Square is the heart of this city.

Copley Square is not explosion, blood, limbs, tears.

I was folding laundry when Mike very seriously called me into the living room to see something on the tv. What I saw was confusing. Helicopter images of a scene that was simultaneously familiar and completely unfamiliar. Boylston street with debris and blood stained sidewalks. Seeing familiar storefronts in images that look straight out of a war zone is incredibly jarring.

For the next few hours I connected with friends in and around the city via social media and text. My twitter and facebook feeds were aflame with "I'm okay" and "I'm safe" notices. I celebrated each one. I answered texts and phone calls from friends and family far away assuring them that Mike and I were home safe with no intentions of leaving. I learned that a friend was watching the race between the two explosions, and that she made it home safely. I looked at photos and video I probably shouldn't have. It took me almost 8 hours for it to really sink in, and then I cried like a baby.

This is my home. I am okay.

Boston Vagina Monologues 2013 Recap

Hi strangers!

I'm sorry I've been absent from blogging for almost a month. I'm finding more and more that taking pictures of and talking about my clothes just doesn't feel like a priority. I love blogging, and my online community, but this month I've been focusing on my real life community.

The weekend of March 22- 24 was the Boston community production of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues. This was my 4th year involved with this talented group of women, and my third year as an organizer. I absolutely loved directing a team of about 40 talented, diverse, and passionate women in a benefit performance.

With Lori and Leah, two of my co-organizers for the show.

Yes, that is a giant fabric Vagina. There were also chocolate vaginas...

... and vagina cupcakes! 

We had an amazing time and raised over $6000 to benefit VDay, Boston GLOW, Victory Programs, and the Young Black Women's Society.

All photos courtesy of Kaylyn Leighton Photography.

Life Lately: February

I miss you guys! Life has been great, but busy. I love my new job, and the free time I've been able to spend baking, organizing, and working on my nail art skills.

I'm missing a piece to my primary tripod, so I haven't taken any outfit photos since starting my new job. I'm hoping I'll find the piece soon, but until then here are some cell phone pics I've taken this month!

Some Snow

Some More Snow

Valentine's Day Nail Art

Kitty watching the snow come down

I'm Rising!

One Billion Rising Demonstration

These Hips are Rising

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Being involved with the VDay movement for the past seven years has transformed February 14th from a silly holiday about candy hearts, girlish romance and flowers to a day of power, community, and self- love.

This year's theme is One Billion Rising. There are approximately 3 billion women and girls on this planet. One third of them will experience violence or rape in her lifetime. I don't know about you, but that is not a statistic I can accept!

I can't accept that having hips and breasts means you can objectify me,  or that wearing a short skirt or having a drink too many means I want to have sex with you. 

I can't accept the cat calls, the whistles, the man coping a feel, the boy undressing with his eyes. 

I can't accept femicide, genital mutilation, forced trans-vaginal ultrasounds, slut shaming, street harassment, anti-choice legislation, or misogyny as facts of life.


Today women and men all over the world are rising in dance, in song, in protest and in memory. We're rising for our sisters our mothers, daughters, friends, our lovers, and ourselves. Visit www.onebillionrising.org for information about events in your area.  Bring your date with you. Everyone is welcome. 

If you're in Boston, and you'd like to rise with me. I'll be in Copley square at 5:30pm! 

Weekly Wish List: Workin on My Fitness

While I didn't set any concrete health or fitness related New Year's resolutions, I still plan to establish a better exercise routine this year.

It's no secret that I hate working out. I make excuses all the time. I'm too tired, it's too cold, my hip hurts, etc. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I'm paying $60/ month for a gym I haven't been to since before Thanksgiving. When I start my new job I'll work and live within two blocks of my gym, so it's going to be a lot harder to make excuses. I'm always looking for new ways to keep myself motivated. What better motivation to work out than some adorable new colorful workout clothes/ accessories?



1, 2, 3, 4, 5



What do you do to motivate yourself to work out?

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VOTE!

It's not just about the president. For information about what's on the ballot in your district, visit Project Vote Smart. 

Budgeting Space- One In, One Out

My new apartment is really small. I guessed when we signed the lease back in March that our biggest challenge was going to be clothing storage, so I started brainstorming, googling, apartment therapy-ing, and pinterest-ing storage options. During a trip to ikea a few months ago Mike and I discovered a brilliant storage solution- a bed frame with four giant drawers underneath! After checking craigslist religiously for a month, I found a slightly used Brimnes storage bedframe for less than half the price it sells for at ikea!

Image via ikea.com

With the help of those 4 deep drawers, a six drawer dresser used as a tv stand in the living room, and some closet organizers we got all of our clothes and shoes to fit! The only issue is there isn't room for any more. As a result, I'm instituting a one in, one out policy for my wardrobe.If I buy something it has to be replacing an item that is no longer wearable OR I have to be willing to donate or sell an item to make room.

I am actually really excited about this philosophy. It will keep me from making too many impulse purchase, thus saving me money. It is also challenges me to pick pieces I will get a lot of wear out of. If it's going to take up space in my closet/ drawers the I better wear it!

The only items on my "must buy for fall" list are black riding boots, and black flats. Yesterday I went to DSW to see if they had any wide calf boots in stock. They did! I used my $10 off coupon and bought a great pair of wide calf, black leather riding boots. I'll be throwing out an old pair of faux suede black boots to make room for them:)

How do you store/ organize your wardrobe? Any tips for sharing closet space with your significant other?