celebrating family

The only thing on my mind as of late is moving home. Home to celebrate, be with and make memories with my family.

Closer to my Daddy, who protects me from everything, even the sp*ders in my window.

Closer to my Mommy- bike rides, downtown walks, beach days, design days or even just enjoying lunch on a Summer day on the patio together. 

Closer to my Sister- very much closer, as we will be living and making memories together that will truly last a lifetime.

Closer to the ferocious beast- so we can play fox more often. 

Closer to my grandparents- for their lives are precious and days numbered.

Closer to my cousins, aunts and uncles- so I can join in on family gatherings more often. 

me and and amazing man of character, my grandfather

 

 

"Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. 

It means you are loved and will be loved for the rest of your life. 

No matter what."

What are you celebrating this Spring?

St. Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is my most favorite holiday of all... I get so giddy around this time of year. I don't even have a boyfriend (well, you know... an exclusive one at least) and I still love this day.

A few reasons why I absolutely love this day and month:

1. It's a celebration of love. I love love.

2. It's pink and sparkly! It's a whole day where it's 100% ok to be in pink sparkles and be a giddy girl all day long.

3. It's a reminder that SPRING is coming! 

(ummm, it's supposedly 62 and sunny here in Central VA!)

Instead of focusing on loving specifically (or lack of) significant other or ignoring this day completely (which tends to be the 2011 trend... come on, we all know it's unavoidable), pour love out to your family and closest friends today! I guarantee that if you stop to consider loving a broad range of others instead of your lack of significant other... it will boost your whole thinking process about the whole day. 

 Happy Loving!

 

goodbyes

One thing is for sure: 

I absolutely hate goodbyes. 

My roommate and one of my very best friends left for an internship in DC today. While I am so happy and so proud of her, her presence will be missed every day while she is gone.

Great memories still linger in the air at Princeton Circle. They always say to never live with your best friend, but we never seemed to mind. 

My favorite memories: 

social mornings

mac and cheese snack time

PM alarm clocks

wine and trash television nights

 curfews

girl talk

white boards (the way we all communicate on a daily basis)

 {Jules, me, Vanessa}

This was her last weekend in town for a while. I can honestly say we had a blast as we painted this little town in Southwest Virginia... Northern girl style.

{J and I with our wonderful boyfriend Jorge}

J's friendship is so dear to me; she was the first to rush over at almost 1 in the morning on that devastating weekend in August 2009. I still remember that night like it was yesterday as she held me and told me that everything was going to be ok. She has laughed with me, cried with me and smacked me in the face when I needed it most over the last year and a half.  We have both been through thick and thin as individuals, but she always remains a constant in my life, and for that... I am truly thankful. 

I know you're reading this, J! Remember this until you return to the South: 

I love-a you-a!

observing the ant

My mom sent me this in an email in response to Tuesday night's post.
I thought I would share...

Written by LB Cowman in 1925 after facing dry places in her life:

"Observe the ant," the great Oriental conqueror Tamerlane told his friends. In relating a story from his early life, he said, "I once was forced to take shelter from my enemies in a dilapidated building, where I sat alone for many hours. Wishing to divert my mind from my hopeless situation, I fixed my eyes on an ant carrying a kernel of corn larger than itself up a high wall. I counted its attempts to accomplish this feat. The corn fell sixty-nine times to the ground, but the insect persevered. The seventieth time it reached the top. The ant's accomplishment gave me courage for the moment, and I never forgot the lesson."

I resolved never to stop until I had come to the goal and achieved my purpose.

{david livingston}

Set your goals. Define your purpose. Strive. 

{cynthia gayle rust}

That's exactly what I am going to focus on every time I have a night like Tuesday night: I'll set my goals. Define my purpose. Then strive.

I love my mommie. Words cannot express how truly thankful I am for such a selfless influence in my life.

"just be you"

I have been thinking a lot lately about who I am. A dear friend of mine often reminds me to "just be you." I am so thankful for that reminder.

In a culture where we constantly try to be someone else- I encourage you to reflect on who you truly are. 

i am: 

*very feminine- completely awed by the color pink, flowers, sparkles and/or lace.

*classy

*high maintenance, yet independent and self-sufficient

*determined and hard working
*loyal

*a romantic at heart, but not easily charmed

Along with other character traits, both good and bad, this is who I am. Though it would be lovely to take a few components that I admire in other people and somehow magically intertwine them into my being... it simply will never happen. I am who I am. I shouldn't have to change myself in order for another person to love me... and I won't. Granted, there is always room for improvement in some areas, but I'm not going to try to change who I am and what I enjoy for the simple sake of "love."

I am slowly learning to be ok with all of this.  

I encourage you, dear readers:

just be you... just the way you are.

here's to you, 2011

many highs and many lows, but I have to say... 2010 beat 2009 hands down. 

cheers to a new year!

may you reflect on the good times and the bad: 

learn and be determined to always move forward

Happy 2011!

twinkle lights

why are twinkle lights so romantic?

May your Christmas Eve be filled with laughter, family and romance.

And for our soldiers who are serving overseas this Christmas, you and your families are in my heart. We could never show enough gratitude.

Xo,
E

with the grace of a woman

After a while, you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open,

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And learn to build all your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight

And after a while, you learn

That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong

And you really do have worth

And you learn and learn...

With every goodbye, you learn.

{Shoffstall}

What have you learned?

Contentment, Part One

Lately I have been learning contentment, mainly in three ways.

The first is contentment with where I am geographically.

I currently live in Central Virginia and am not a fan. Most of all, I miss my family. I miss my dear friends. I miss the city lights that were a mere hour drive away. I miss bike rides with my Mom and I miss my dog.

Back in March, I decided to move to Virginia because of an incredible job opportunity and while I am not a fan of my location, I am trying to learn contentment. I am here for a reason: the known reason is because of work. I was offered a job at a University that pays for my education. It was a hard decision to move away from my family and friends, but with the support and encouragement from those who know me best, I decided it would be foolish to give up such an opportunity. I also knew, deep down, that if I didn't take full advantage of this opportunity, I would regret it in 10 years.

At the time of the move, I was living in the "here and now." I wasn't actively thinking about the future. The move and this job has encouraged me to not only think of the future, but prepare for the future now.

Here are some of my goals:

1. Begin chipping away at my Masters degree. My job will pay for 6 classes a year. It will take me 2 years to finish my degree, if I decide to stay at my current job.

2. In the Spring, I will begin looking for another job- ideally at another university in the DC, Philly or Wilmington area. This will put me a mere 1-2 hour drive from my family.

3. While I'm waiting to begin applying for a new job, I will take full advantage of the learning experience I have been given now. I will work hard and develop my professional skills. There is no better time than now for hands on experience. I have been blessed with an incredible boss who previously worked for Coca-Cola. From day 1, he has offered coaching for his employees; he coaches and pushes them into fields that encourage professional development. You really can't ask for a better boss.

4. I plan to take advantage of where I live now. It's not ideal, but I'm here... and will be here for at least 6-ish more months. Instead of escaping every weekend, my roommate and I have been enjoying getting to know our area... researching culture-rich festivals and activities. The Fall is a perfect time for this, which will carry right over to Holiday parties and festivities. Before I know it, it'll be time to start job searching... and perhaps one day I'll miss this town and this time in my life. Why not make the most of it while I'm here now?

I have 2 more areas that I'm learning to be content:

1. my body and body image

2. love

I'll be writing about BOTH of these in future posts.

For tonight, I'll leave you with an Audrey quote to ponder:

{A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation, provide children with the protection they need from the hazards of poverty, labor exploitation and disease, and given them the knowledge, skills and confidence to reach their full potential} AH

Come Home

I love this song.

Makes me wonder who it's from, and who it is written to...

ONE REPUBLIC
COME HOME

Where I've Been: here and there and everywhere!

Well... here it is in pictures.

Because pictures are always more fun...

Opening night for the Phillies April 2010
BEST time with friends that I love:

{love that city skyline}

{best of friends}

THEN {also in April}... I was SO kindly invited to paint DC our favorite color {see flowers below} one weekend when T, an old college friend invited me to stay at her uncle's sweet pad {also see below}

{we went for the cherry blossoms, but I fell in love with these pink tulips more. go figure}

We talked and we shopped and we walked around. Then we were chauffeured around for a personal tour of the entire city.
Then we ate. And ate. And ate.
Then we stayed on the 15th floor of *THIS* building where we drank some wine and admired the city lights. The living room had a panoramic view of the city.
Those lights, they captured my heart.

Then, in May... I photographed my first wedding in over a year with my Mother. Haven't seen her work? Check it out, you won't be disappointed. It's always a BLAST spending the day with her while working. This was my first wedding since, well... you know... and guess what? I'm still alive and happy and breathing.

June was Sister's 21st birthday.
Where better to celebrate than the famously trashy Atlantic City?!
We took a group, but the best company was my siblings:

Sister and I danced the night away. What fun!!!

July?

Oh, that's the time that we scored front row seats {at a packed out 4th of July game} at our city's junior baseball league game. Here, we met Gerald, who gave us our front row seats. Why didn't get a picture with Gerald? {Jules, on that stat} We topped this night off when I caught a baseball that the boys threw at us with their number and invited us to play "Call of Duty" back at their hotel room. Talk about klassy.

I enjoyed the evening with these two fabulous ladies, Brit and Jules:

Also in July?
Daddy officially announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives.
This is him. I am SO proud!!!

Somewhere in here, I started collecting Silly Bands. Thanks Julia.
I thought they were dumb. I still do.
But yet the coolest thing I have ever collected.
My silly band collection went from this:

TO THIS:
{you can award me my earned cool points later}

One of my favorite things to do with my ladies is visit one of our local Mexican restaurants for Friday Night Mexican/Margarita Night. {aka FNMMN} Is there a better way to start off a weekend than with Margaritas? Our friend Jorge makes ours special, for his favorite guests of honor.

and no, we didn't drink the whole thing ourselves. there are multiple straws

{holy cow, my hair got long. when did that happen?!}

Speaking of our friend Jorge, the girls and I seem to meet the most wonderful people whilst out painting the town. Below is a picture of Julia, myself and our new friend Ann.

Ann is going to Vegas with us in October. Ann also more or less offered me a job at a Wedding Publication company. Although I don't think she remembers doing so...

Ann was fabulous. Although we don't have a picture, we also met Kay. Kay was adorned with Tiffany's. Hence the beginning of our best-friend-ship.

And lastly, on a more serious note... I coined this phrase to be my new phrase in life for the moment:

This phrase, found on the back of a Dove Chocolate wrapper sits on my keyboard at work. I look at it everyday. It reminds me, every day... to dwell in my past. I have the brightest, most promising future in front of my than I have ever had in my entire life. I will only move forward.

One of these days, I'm going to finish my story of how/why In My Red High Heels began.
I promise.

Until then, you should go thank Sam for the most gorgeous layout that she put together for me. Cuase God only knows... I have NO time to work on my own design stuff. Why is that?

Love you all. Thrilled to be back.
Tell me how your Summer has been, loves.

{and I love you for giving me your eyes, now stay back and watch me shine}

So I never did a Mother's Day post.

Although I wasn't able to spend the actual day with my mother, I was at least privileged enough to talk with her from 6 hours away.

I can't listen to this song without tearing up thinking about my Mother. It defines my mother to the core.

My mother is my hero. She's held me on the floor as I've bawled my eyes out- emotionally, mentally and physically raw after being hurt deeper than I've ever been hurt before.

She's loves me regardless of the times I've emotionally smacked her in the face. She's loved me after I've rejected her advice. She encouraged me every morning for months when I wanted nothing less than to just stay in bed and sleep away any emotions. She gave me her strength when she had none herself. She's sacrificed. She's love unconditionally. She's put my needs above her own...

And that's just for one of her three children.

I am so proud of my mother. Now, at 47 years old, she's pursuing a dream she's had since we were kids. She's pursuing a completely new career, teaching herself the "ins and outs" of running a business and polishing her photography skills. How many of you can say that your Mom has taught herself a new career at 47? I have never been more proud of her! Think I'm lying? Check her out for yourself.

Thank you Mom, for teaching me the importance of family, faith and unconditional love. I would be lost without you. You are my rock.

Tell me something about your Mom. Because after all, who needs just a day to celebrate your mother?

of this I am determined...

Without uttering a single word, my sister reminded me of something that my parents taught me growing up. They used to always tell her and I to “choose a man who would swim through shark infested waters to bring you a lemonade.”

Think about this for a moment- there’s more to this than what you read. What they meant, and what took me a while to grasp is that I should choose a man who is willing to lay down his own life for me and our future family. A man who is willing to do everything in his power to provide for my needs and for our family’s needs. A man who would do anything for me, without thinking about himself first. Granted, hopefully I’m not selfish enough to nonchalantly ask him to risk his life in an effort to quench my thirst, but you get what I’m saying...

So guess what I decided tonight? I’m done making excuses for the men that I choose in life. I want a man who will willingly swim through shark infested waters to get me a lemonade. Why? Because that’s what I deserve. I am a passionate woman, and when I love someone- I love them without holding anything back. I am faithful and loyal and will do back-flips trying to make the one that I love happy. I cherish them, care for them and support them. I deserve that kind of treatment back.

...not somebody who wants to move on to “bigger and better” things because they think they are called to a “bigger and better life”. And definitely not anyone who is willing to leave me trampled on in the dust as they run on to chase what they think they are called to do. I want a team, a selfless, balanced team. I will have that. And this man will love me for who I am and will appreciate the unconditional, loyal love that I offer. This man will swim across an ocean of shark infested waters to bring me a lemonade.... Of this... I am sure. I will not settle or make excuses for the rest any longer.

In other news:

Confession:

I love love love coffee mugs, usually cute ones from Starbucks...
but check out these adorable ones I found from
Paula Kathlyn’s Etsy shop.

I bought the lips mug for me...


...and the mustache one for my dear friend, Erica.


Are you just as obsessed with these as I am?

Getting Thru It

My last post about 2009.
I had to.
Because this is beautiful.

That was a tough one.

Come on in and stop for a second to shake your head,

dust yourself off,

and look back at how far you’ve come.

Sure, it’s been a long year. Some crushing lows slapped you and smacked you around. There were times your heart dipped and you squinted back tears while your stomach squeezed so tightly you couldn’t sleep. There were moments you walked around in a glossy-eyeball daze — when loved ones hurt, friends didn’t stay, or someone dear to your heart slowly drifted away.

Sleepless nights, stressful nights, with teething babies, slurring customers, bad bosses, bickering boyfriends, or blank computer screens. You were feeling and you were dealing and you were reeling and you were healing.

But as you walked your hard path down your long and bumpy road some little drops of confidence dripped like coffee into your head and into your heart. As you stumbled and got back up a quiet inner strength slowly seeped into your bones. And as you climbed over obstacles set in your way some relaxed satisfaction and growing self-awareness glimmered like bright lights at the bottom of your stomach.

Yes, this year changed you and grew you in so many ways you don’t even feel or notice yet. As you struggled you empathized, as you slipped you understood, as you worked you earned…

… as you looked you learned

… … as you dared you grew

… … … and as you jumped you flew.

Your dreams are still focusing and your passion is growing. Your energy is still bubbling and your story keeps going.

You’ve been through so much and gained a year’s supply of experience along the way. You’re stronger than you were last year and stronger than you realize. Sure, there were times you bent, but you definitely didn’t break. There were times you caved, but you definitely didn’t flake.

Listen up: you got bigger, you got better, and you got the scars to prove it.

So stop for a second today to smile and look back at everything you’ve done this year… everything you’ve seen… everywhere you’ve been…

You’ve taken more illegal naps and had more blurry-eyed late nights.

You’ve danced to more wedding songs and smiled at more beautiful sights.

You’ve seen more scorching sunsets and heard more head bopping songs.

You’ve tripped a few times, but baby, you kept rolling right along.

Yes, you’ve hugged more old friends and kissed some brand new pretty faces.

You’ve cheered more on the sidelines and visited some brand new pretty places.

You tasted more meals, you got more deals, and you’ve sniffed more flower blossoms.

And you made it all the way through this year because you’re so completely

AWESOME!

via 1000 awesome things

Another chapter in the story soon? hmm??

Happy Monday, loves.

It's a brand new week.

A brand new year.

A brand new decade.

New Years Resolutions

I don't normally make resolutions in January.

But I did this year.

They include:

Lose those last 20 pounds.
I'm hoping to accomplish this by the end of February.

Let go

Redefine my happiness.
In my own terms.

Make even more friends. Laugh with them.
Cry with them. Be true to them.
Hold an actual friendship with them.
Take a leap of faith, even though they might hurt me.

And one of these days-
I want to learn to trust again.

What about you?
Did you make resolutions this year?
What are they?

These are also tickling my fancy.
Thank you Valentino.

Valentino's Side Bow Peep-Toe Pumps
beauty
:)