Today's Mantra

Take it from the girl who moved away from the city who held and holds her heart and who had a million teary episodes about the town that really was. There is absolutely NO USE in wishing for what is not. For dreaming of the what if's and what could be's, despite the promise of the manufactured perfect, will only lead to the opposite of savoring the moment. This is the moment you should live in, engage yourself, and make the mundane magnificent. And you know the best thing about this? Do all three and you won't even have to try to be beautiful. You will radiate it.

{Spotted at Rue |  Learn more at Groundwork}

To My Daddy

Sweet, right? You should've seen my teary refusal to make right on the investment of months of scuba diving certification. No worries. He pushed me in while I wasn't looking. Hey, sometimes a sense of adventure is only found when forced!

For always holding my hand. Whether on my wedding day, or in chilly depths where I was sure I'd get chomped to pieces by Jaws, and to now in every step of the way as I start to discover just how business savvy I might be able to be :) Happy Birthday! I love love love you to pieces =D

What's in yours?

Do you think he talks the talk?

I wonder if she's been scarred by Jaws for life like me?

The perfectly put together exec on the go? Perhaps a town car as her choice of transportation?

People are damn curious. It's just our nature and also the reason Mark Zuckerburg is rollling in the dough. Wouldn't it be fun if he made it rain with his billions while we ran around poppin' bottles of bubbly? Just sayin'. :) Anyways, because I'm one of those infinitely curious creatures I found these "what's in your purse" type photos by photographer Jason Travis so fun to peruse. I really enjoy direct Q and A's, and err good ol' FB, but I think alternative ways of learning about people are decidely more intriguing. Don't you? What do you carry around with you everyday?

{Spotted at Gabriella | Work by Jason}

Things I Need In My Life

Symmetry. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Is that weird?

Images from the home of Chicago blogger Bailey McCarthy in Rue

An air of whimsy and a sense of humor. If you have one or the other, we'll get along. But if you have both, watch out, I'll make sure of it that we become friends.

A walk-in closet? Okay, okay. I don't need this per se, but wouldn't you classify the word need as relative to the personal importance of the subject to the needer in question?

Aside from the fantastically fabulous Rue Issue #4 where I snatched up all these lovelies, what else do you need in your life?

p.s. I'm guest posting for the sweet Deanna at Mellow Fever today. She's in Puerto Rico (we shouldn't be jealous which I'm mostly saying to myself) so I stopped by to say hello to her readers!

BOSWORTH BUNS.

I'm not talking about Kate's tush, although I daresay it's pretty fabulous too, it's really her ballerina top buns that I keep envisioning myself sporting with effortless grace. It always starts like this- I envision the valiant attempt (hold the dramatics?) than I subsequently envision the inevitable. The inevitable being a lopsided, far too princess lea hello it's not halloween, disaster sitting atop than slowly sliding off the side of my head! Ha! Do you feel the same way about buns? I desperately want to try, but it's far too easy to reach for the familiar especially when it's become somewhat of my signature that I can assemble quicker than I can even say the word "bun."

Crazy style or just plain cray cray?

I can honestly say that I think Vogue fashion assistant, Cynthia Smith, has crazy cool style. I mean can you seriously think of one person you actually know who can pull off socks with Louboutins while achieving that all elusive je ne sais quoi? As for me, I would have to be honest with myself and resign to the fact that I would look just plain cray cray. I would get those "do you own a full length mirror" looks.

{Via Vogue.com}

Classic

Nothing says classic quite like a basic white oxford. I truly believe everyone, male or female, should have at least one in their closet! A white oxford can go from barefoot on the beach (Jackie does it best) to dressed up, perhaps collar popped, tucked into a fabulous skirt, and paired with statement jewelry. Today my favorite white oxford is tied at the waist, instead of buttoned, atop my rolled, destructed boyfriend jeans. I added some chain link and friendship bracelet flair and a red heel for a little pep in my step. What would you do with your oxford?

p.s. Don't you adore Mark Shaw's work? To see more from this legendary photographer, click here.