Framed In The Doorway: October 2012

10/18/2012

Pumpkin + Leopard

I cannot help myself: my obsession with orange and All Things Leopard continues to grow.

Check out this smashing jacket!

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And polka dots...I'm also still in love with the dot. :)

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Skinny Skinny!

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Ms. Minkoff

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Around the neck...

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Dynamic Duo!

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Ring-a-ding-ding...one of my favorites from this collection.

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FITD: Pied-a-terre

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The eyea have it!

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10/17/2012

Go Big Red: 20th High School Reunion

My BFF and I took Texas by storm last weekend for our aforementioned high school reunion.

We had an absolute fantastic time reconnecting with old friends and classmates as well as getting to know spouses and significant others. It was truly a special time.

My BFF and our date. Notice my mum!

Homecoming Mum: a Texas Tradition

The Reunion! With planned outfit and Kate Spade clutch--talking with my hands as usual. :)

Hotel Lobby

Homecoming!!

And of course: WHATABURGER!

Mums for homecoming and other special events are huge in the south, and I spent all day looking for a mum with no avail until I managed to score one at the last minute--thanks to a dear friend. I plan to make mums as decorative gifts and will post pictures when I do so. :)

10/09/2012

Texas Two Step!

As I make my way home to Texas (God Bless!) for my high school reunion (the 20th, no less!), I am beyond excited to see my BFF and revisit some old stomping grounds. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite Texas things that spell home to me.

1. Whataburger!

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2. Babe's Chicken. The BEST chicken you will have. Ever.

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3. Bass Hall. An amazing venue to see theatre and the symphony as well as being one of the of the prettiest buildings in Fort Worth.

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4. The Kimball

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5. Southlake Town Center--best place to shop and down the road from where I grew up.

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6. Christmas lights in Highland Park and Interlochen

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7. Bluebell. I love you, Bluebell.

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8. The Riverwalk

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9. The Flying Tomato a.k.a. "The Tomato" a landmark from my college years burned down in 2007. It was rebuilt and is now open in Sanger. Oh, Tomato, I pine for you!

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10. Neiman's. Yesterday. Today. Forever.

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And there you have it! :

Except for Tex-Mex, which is a whole 'nother story. :)

FITD love!

xoxo,

Bran

10/05/2012

Friday Fall Foliage

A few images captured from our yard... :)

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend!

10/04/2012

The Practice of Gratitude

In 1997, my mother hosted Thanksgiving for a group of her friends and me. Normally, the holiday mainly consisted of just the two us, so Mom relished the opportunity to go all-out and create a festive environment.

Along side all of our plates was the book Simple Abundance--an oldie but a goodie--a book that really spoke to Mom's heart.


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My mother was a huge proponent of keeping a gratitude journal. In times of strife, trouble, or sadness, she took great comfort in reminding herself of all that she had to be grateful for.

My gratitude plate is bountiful, and these are some of the things for which I am grateful: both meaningful and superfluous:

my Beloved
my BFF
Duchess Elizabeth and how she gets all crazy with her toy, Squeaker
my nieces and nephews!
being "Auntie Meme!"
doggie daycare
my job/colleagues
my friends
the new people who have come into my life
Instagram (silly, I know! But I just figured out how to download it to my Android phone.)
my Kindle because my mom gave it to me
Amazon two-day shipping--again a small thing, but I just ordered supplies to make candles, and I can't wait for them to get here!
my health
any manner of cosmetics, clothing, or shiny baubles in my possession--lipstick cheers me up!
the luxury of having these things and the opportunity to be frivolous
Christmas: it's my favorite holiday
my education
my life: as it has been and how it will continue to be.