CLOSET ENVY

Let's be honest. What girl doesn't daydream of having of the ultimate closet? I often tell myself that if I were lucky enough to have one, then I would have no excuse for my clothes and accessories to be unorganized. Right? I mean with all of the shelves, built in drawers, and hanging spaces how could they be. This would help take care of the "stuff problem" I have. Everything would have a nice little home...behind closed doors. This = amazing. Getting ready would be a joyous occasion if I walked into something that looked like Eva JeanBart Lorenzotti's every day. Everything says 'hello! pick me! pick me!'. 

top picture and next 2 are from Eva JeanBart Lorenzotti

love all of the color in Meg Braff's

Rory Tahari

Olivia Wilde

the bold print in Tinsley Mortimer's closet is fabulous

Tory Burch via Vogue

via Domino

Paris Hilton

Padma Lackshimi via Harper's Bazaar

Nicky Hilton

I am obsessed with that green lamp

Carrie Bradshaw

Meagan's Closet via Honey We're Home

And The Award Goes To....

Sunday night I turned on the television to take in the red carpet arrivals for the Academy Awards. Sadly I wasn't really wowed by many other than Mila Jovovich and Michelle Williams. I thought both looked amazing in their dresses. Mila exuded Hollywood glamour from head to toe. Being the southern girl that I am I could not have been more delighted to see Octavia Spencer win for her role in The Help. I love that the only thing she could initially think of was to thank the state of Alabama. Unfortunately, I fell asleep before getting to see Meryl Streep accept her well deserved Oscar. In my humble opinion I think she is the most versatile actress in the business, and I always look forward to seeing what type of role she will take on next. As far as the rest of the action I thought it was a bit lackluster. Macho Cameron Diaz? No thanks. Jlo's skin tight dress and areola peep? Bleck. Angelina Jolie. Over it. Here are some of my favorite looks from the night.

MONDAY QUOTE

HELLO WEEKEND

Yay for the weekend! I'm looking forward to days filled with planting my spring garden, brunch, and hitting the trails at the park. What are your plans?

WANDERLUST FRIDAY: VIVA ESPANA (Part 2)

Madrid was the first city I set off to explore while living in Spain. My purpose behind this trip was to meet a friend from the States who was flying in to travel with me for a week. Arriving a day early to get a feel for the city I quickly hit the streets in search of a place to sleep for the night. I had decided not to plan anything in advance and assumed I would be a brave traveler staying in a hostel for the first time. After leaving the 6th hostel with no luck finding a free room I began to panic. Naive American traveler that I was did not anticipate the hordes of people traveling for Semana Santa (Holy Week). 

I had emailed a few people on Couch Surfing a few days prior to see if I could stay at their apartment, but I had received no responses before arriving. Couch surfing is based on the concept that people offer travelers a place to stay for free as well as a bit of a personal introduction to the local way of life if the host has time. During this moment of panic I began considering other options if I didn't find a place to sleep such as spending the night on a bench in the airport, staying out all night, or going to the 1 store in Madrid that stayed open for 24hrs.

There was a guy on Couch Surfing who had listed his number in the event of an emergency. I came to the conclusion that it was officially a state of an emergency, so I sent him a text message. He eventually messaged me back and assured me I was welcome to stay at his apartment. After a moment of weighing the pros and cons I decided I wanted an adventure, to save money, and to see Madrid from a local's perspective. And that I did. 

My first Couch Surfing experience was fantastic, magical even. Miguel rescued me at a moment's notice and shared as much as the city with me as was possible in one night: tourist spots, food, coffee, authentic flamenco, disco, R&B, underground salsa (behind a closed metal door in an empty alley at 4am no less), and great conversation. I was so thankful I had opted to seek out adventure. After an hour of sleep I set out for the airport to greet my friend. The pinnacle of my adventure had occurred, and I knew nothing could ever hold me back.

Parque del Buen Retiro

Symbol of Madrid

KIO Towers

Plaza de Cibeles

Almundena Cathedral- attended mass here on Easter Sunday

One of the most unique cathedrals I have ever been in. Love the colors.

oh the details

Royal Palace

Prado Museum

Easter procession during Holy Week

mid day snack- cafe con leche and torrijas (a traditional Easter pastry)

had to fight through this to enjoy that

It is said all roads in Spain originate from this point.

Plaza Mayor

ham ham and more ham

Flamenco in a dimly lit room filled with smoke & good spirits. Interesting and oddly personal.

Puerta de Alcala

top image via