I know I can’t be the only one wondering where August went. I took a little road trip down Route 66 with my friend/photographer, Caroline. The perfect red lip for my skin color is no longer elusive thanks to NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl. Shared a pre-prom Scarlett O’Hara Gone with the Wind photo, along with this hot swimsuit shot that brought sexy back. Made an appearance in the September issue of Dwell magazine in their international bloggers article (pinch me!). Hit up Shop Good‘s annual Mustache Bash and the accompanying Gentlemen’s Market, where sadly one could not purchase a gentleman. Caught Womb Gallery in all its psychodelic glory. Goose the seizure kitten was adopted! My Roxy Girl turned the big 1-3. Reminisced a little about starting my freshman year at OU 15(!) years ago. And, of course, spent way too much time playing/cuddling/photographing Bebe.
A few weeks back I had one of the most raging headaches I can remember ever experiencing. Migraines run in my family and I fall prey to them about once a month, but when this one was still hanging around a whopping five days later I knew something was up. None of my prescription or OTC meds were doing anything to even dull the pain that was originating at the base of my skull and radiating up towards my ears and jaw. That’s when I scheduled a massage, thinking that maybe some sort of deep tissue maneuvering might work a little magic.
I met with a master masseuse who ended up using a variety of massage techniques – not all comfortable and relaxing – to try and relieve the extreme tension that had built up in my neck and back. That’s right, it was a tension headache in migraine’s clothing. When the masseuse was finished she told me it was a challenging massage to give because I wouldn’t relax and that we needed more than an hour because I was so tense. Then she asked me whether I was stressed about anything (not really) and what I did for myself (uhhhh). My response was a very truthful “I’m not very good at that sort of thing.”
The massage did help, but the masseuse’s words are what really stuck. I realized I physically need to make more time for myself. Being a full-time blogger I have the advantage of a flexible schedule, it also means that I don’t have your typical weekend off. So I’ve decided that Wednesdays are going to be my recharging time, smack dab in the middle of the workweek. Feel Good Wednesdays, if you will. I definitely won’t be taking the day off, but I will be taking more time than usual for myself. A yoga class, less caffeine and more hydration (like with bubbly Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Water), maybe a mug of tea to wind down, a longer walk with the dogs once the temperatures drop, you see what I’m saying. I’m hoping that by slowing down just a little my life will thrive even more.
How do you make time for yourself? I can use all the advice you can give!
July has been, hands down, the most trying month of 2013 for me. But among all of the late nights and long days there were plenty of good moments. Nursing this little foster guy back to health after a series of seizures is near the top of that list. School supplies are out! Every year I allow myself one or two things, I wish I were a perpetual student! I made the best berry galette ever (just added blueberries to this recipe). Experienced my first ever blowout from the lovely ladies at blo and got some beachy waves. Bebe turned 2 years old and Peanut turned 13! I spent an afternoon exploring OKC, which resulted in us celebrating Oklahoma City Week here on Design Crush. I received the best print from Read Between the Lines, it makes me smile each time I walk by. My kitchen has been getting the best golden hour sun. One afternoon I pilfered a bunch of crepe myrtle from my neighbor (except not really because it hangs over onto my property). A few afternoons afforded me some quality time with the pets, generally in the form of a nap. Loving my advance copy of The Art of I Love You!
Day 2 of my San Diego mini-vacay brought even more sightseeing at the side of Design Milk! Our first stop – after bagels, duh – was the island of Coronado. I’m not sure what I expected, if anything, but I completely fell under the spell of this beachy village, its sweet shops, and its cottages.
Then of course there was the Hotel del Coronado, which I’ve dreamed of visiting for ages. I’d always pictured it living on a small cliff, but there it was right on the beach. The Del (as locals refer to it) is currently celebrating its 125th birthday, check out the oversize gold bow on the left turret!
The interior was pure old Hollywood magic and I really appreciated that the grounds are open to the public to enjoy as well as guests. Though I have to say it’s definitely high on my list to stay here for a getaway sooner than later!
Next up were the tide pools at Point Loma. It’s a long drive through the town, up a big hill, and past several military facilities to get there. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery was a beautifully sobering site as we neared our destination. The cemetery is spread out quite a bit, but all areas have this incredible view of either the bay or ocean side of the Point. Such a peaceful resting place for those who gave up their life for our country, and so well-deserved.
We made our way down the other side of the gigantic hill to the tide pools… only had neglected to think of what time the tide would actually be out. It wasn’t and the pools were covered, but we still walked down the crazy cliffside and admired the striated cuts.
We then stopped at the Cabrillo National Monument for some stunning views. All the way to right? Mexico. For real.
Our last stop was Old Town, the birthplace of California where the first Europeans settled. Everyone was dressed in era-appropriate clothing and the signage was especially noteworthy to this designer.
All of the shops were so cute, I left the pottery one with a small piece – a cat of course! My only regret is that I made Jaime eat ice cream for lunch at the Hotel del Coronado and we were too full to stop at one of the restaurants for a bite.
In the information center they had a to scale version of the town as it most likely looked in 1850, this is only about 1/3 of it all. I’ve visited lots of settlements like this in the northeast, but it was really interesting to see one in a different region of the U.S.
Many thanks to Jaime and family for a super fun visit!
Saw a minor league baseball game from some great seats! Kept working to reunite animals and their owners separated by the Moore tornado. Enjoyed plenty of deck time with a view, including cotton candy clouds. Bikes came out of the woodwork! Bebe practiced for a yet-to-be cast roll as Toto. Spruced up the guest bath with a new shower curtain and the living room with an arc lamp. Oh, and me with a cute purse. Ate strawberries like they were going out of style. Spent quality time with this stinky butt, and this tiny pony, and this sad-eyed pup. Managed to sneak away for a few days and unplug and see The Sandcastle Man along the way.
Last week I picked up and headed west to visit San Diego and one of my good friends, Jaime Derringer of Design Milk! San Diego was the last major city in California that I had left to visit and I couldn’t wait to pack my bags and get airborne. Not even a sinus migraine or delayed flights could hold me back!
After landing much later than originally planned, Jaime and her beyond adorable daughter picked me up at the airport and drove me directly to the source of all things good in the world – fish tacos at Rubio’s, the supposed birthplace of my favorite Mexican delight! Now that’s a friend.
The next morning I worked them off (and then some) when we went hiking at Torrey Pines. I complained a little, sweated a lot, but couldn’t have asked for a better view along the way. The area is so well maintained, it’s seriously impressive.
I loved all of the crazy foliage everywhere, not so much the rattlesnake holes.
After a few trails we drove down to the beach and stood in the freezing cold water, then walked along the edge a little. I was busy looking for shells and realized the west coast is all about rocks. I collected four smallish ones and proceeded to unintentionally carry them along everywhere I went for the next few days in my purse. Let’s just call it extra weighted cardio, shall we?
I fell in love with this unattended lifeguard stand against the rocky outcropping of the reserve behind it.
Next we headed over to La Jolla, where I promptly picked out several seaside homes to live in that I can only ever dream of setting foot in let alone affording. The little details of the town are what really stuck out to me (well that and the bazillion foot tall palms), and the juxtaposition of an Armani Exchange next to a local shop selling seashell wind chimes was a treat.
I loved this woman sprawled out in the middle of this park with her pink bike and pink outfit!
What happened next was this animal lover’s dream come true. SEALS!
We walked out onto the seawall and I was in heaven, I swear I could have stood there for hours observing these flubbery, flippy-floppy guys!
I promptly picked out my favorite – the light brown guy just to the right of center – and a few minutes later realized he wasn’t a seal at all. Instead he was the lone sea lion on the beach! Such a Kelly thing to do.
We stopped for lunch at the sweetest converted house, Cody’s, where Jaime had the best fries ever and my chopped salad was amazing. I think I could have sat there for hours under the shade of all their umbrellas admiring this little modern building.
When we got back to Jaime’s I was just about as exhausted as Lulu the English Bulldog looked.
May was most definitely a month of highs and lows. I celebrated Cinco de Mayo with Pretty Haute Mess and attended the Adobe MAX Conference in LA. Having a Press badge was so much fun! And I had Bebe’s photo printed on a t-shirt, which was just about the best thing ever. The Black Keys put on a great show to end the event. Back at home I made over a Goodwill cutting board with a bright neon pink edge. (Don’t worry, it’s just craft paint and the food won’t be on it.) We celebrated my Mom’s birthday and I made this Orange Coconut Cake. The weather heated up and I went back to my summer breakfasts of Noosa honey yoghurt, blueberries, and oatmeal. Then May 20th came along and upended everything, I watched on television as a town 20 miles from my was demolished by an F5 tornado. Instead of feeling helpless I jumped into volunteering at Animal Resource Center, I’ve been there every day since helping displaced pets be reunited with their owners. And then I took on two foster litters of 8-week old kittens, eight in all. We’re ready for you, June.
There’s no way I can start today without taking a moment to talk about yesterday’s destruction.
The biggest thank you to everyone who checked in to make sure I was okay. The monster twister hit about 20 miles southeast of my home, following nearly the same path as what was previously the most powerful tornado on record May 3, 1999. That one happened to be the first tornado I ever experienced after moving to OKC, it was finals week my freshmen year of college and I can remember how terrified I was as we hunkered down pre-cell phone era in the basement of my dorm. I’m not ashamed to admit I was clutching my favorite stuffed animal for comfort.
As bad as that was, this is at least three times worse. The F5 was over two miles wide at one point with winds up to 200 mph. Two elementary schools were leveled, one with luckier students than the other where they’re still recovering tiny bodies. It was on the ground for twenty miles and some people are comparing the destruction to atomic bombs and warfare in the Middle East. I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around the loss. Landmarks are gone, houses look like piles of matchsticks, there are at least 51 confirmed dead with I can’t even guess how many to come.
I’ve lived in Oklahoma on and off since 1998, and while it’s not where I’m from it is my home. Oklahomans are some of the most resilient people I know. They rebuilt the community after the bombing in ’95 and they rebuilt again after the May 3rd tornado. And we’ll do it again.
If you want to make a donation to help in that effort, text REDCROSS to 90999 and specify OK tornadoes.
I miss New York, I think it’s a small part of my constant being. Luckily I get to visit a few times a year for work and manage to cram in everything personal at the same time.
I never seem to get a view, but for this trip I was on the 23rd floor and it was a beautiful sight.
No trip is complete without popping into Fishs Eddy, and as luck would have it they were having a big sale! I picked up a little something for myself and a small Brooklyn themed gift for a friend who was moving out of town to remind her of her time here.
I love finding new gems in a city that’s forever changing. This time a few friends and I stopped by Rye House to catch up. I had the most delicious sweet potato perogies and will definitely be back to try more of the menu (and cocktails!).
I had a chance to grab brunch at Tipsy Parson with a new friend I’d met in Austin. We walked around Chelsea a bit and did a little shopping, and when we came across this on the sidewalk Amber couldn’t resist jumping inside!
I stayed in the Flower District and couldn’t help but feel giddy each morning as I walked the streets. They were bursting at the seams with flora and fauna of all varieties, I wanted to make a massive bouquet to take home.
Madison Square Park was showing signs of spring – the trees were filling in nicely and it seemed like a million people were out and about enjoying the beautiful weather.
As I walked across Manhattan Sunday morning I came across a few hidden nooks and crannies.
A few hours before leaving town I grabbed one last brunch at Resto with another friend. Until next time New York, I’ll be thinking about you!
We dyed some of my favorite Easter eggs ever, they were striated! Bebe got her first haircut and came home looking like a totally different dog (I’m only just now getting used to her lack of scruff!). I retired my 5 1/2 year old MacBook Pro for this new beauty, and after a few weeks finally have everything transferred/installed/updated. I turned into a little bit more of the old lady I’m destined to become by hanging a few plates on the wall in my kitchen. Paused for a selfie or two. Spied this tongue in cheek moving truck on Broadway. Met a 17 year old (!) lab named Billie, after Billie Holiday naturally. Spent 4 glorious days in Austin. And spent another 4 in NYC.
!
