Kyle, Marisa, and Baby, OH MY!

My brother & Marisa had a baby last month, Connor McIntosh Hoyt, and I was lucky enough to go visit the clan down in Charleston, South Carolina this past weekend, exactly on Baby Boy Hoyt's 1 Month birthday.  And it was a blast!  It was great to see everyone, my parents came down as well, and spend sometime getting to know my newest nephew. 

It was quickly observed that I may have a knack for babies.  Whenever Connor would start to cry, I'd pick him up and he'd immediately seize all tears.  At first, we all thought this was beginners luck, but it went on all weekend.  I never knew I could love someone so much so instantaneously!  Connor is my 5th niece/nephew and I love them all with my whole heart.  But he was the first that I was able to see as an infant.  My work schedule lined up nicely with being able to go to Charleston this weekend- and for free! 

Here are some pictures of Connor from this weekend- Maybe you'll get a better idea of why I love him so much. 

After discovering my motherly nature, seeing Kyle & Marisa happy as can be as parents, and spending time playing with my nephew, I started to get this feeling deep within to have my own baby.  All I could think about was how someday it would be wonderful to have one of my very own.  I haven't had that real urge until now, but it got me excited about the future. 

That was until about 3am when I realized the feeling deep within was nothing more than indigestion...or at least that's what I'm telling myself. I think that buys me at least another 5 years. 

Current Track:  Since I missed him live in Philly & NYC, I felt this was only fitting 3 AM- Sean Hayes wish I could have been there with you Ali :)

Friends, Sunshine and Flea Markets...

The best perk of my job, like many, are the weekends.  However, since I travel so much, my company will fly me anywhere in the country for a comparable price if I don't want to go home.  Well, this is something I feel needs to be taken advantage of as often as possible.  When else will I get free flights throughout the US? So, in the spirit of being advantageous, I went out to Los Angeles this past weekend to visit my best friend.  She and I have been friends since we were about 3 years old, we bonded over our love of getting muddy and collecting onion grass in red solo cups at our brother's soccer games...awe memories.  Back to the visit, I flew out of Dallas on Friday and arrived at LAX around 2pm, just in time to take a cab to her Hollywood office, where I just so happened to have the pleasure of meeting Ashton Kutcher, background- she works for his production company.  Oh the Hollywood life, so far from my reality.  Our weekend consisted of a private movie screening, eating sushi in a parking lot, singing the verve pipe- freshman at the top our lungs, dancing the robot in the car, horse races, vegan mexican, speakeasies, a small music venue in Silverlake, more sushi sans parking lot, and the best part of all, the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena.

Hidden gem through a secret door- Downtown LA :) 

I should have bought this on principal alone :)

If you're wondering where Southern Californians get their vintage tees, dresses, and scarves, you might be thinking that they are hitting up the local Urban Outfitters.  But I think you'd be sadly mistaken. They are probably going to the Rose Bowl Flea Market the second Sunday of each month.  This is by far the largest flea market that I've ever been to and also the most stocked.  This market has over 2,500 vendors that come with furniture, fur coats, jewelry - old and newly designed, a bloody mary bar, grilled hot dogs, churros, and a what appears to be an endless supply of vintage tees and dresses.  Not going to lie, not every shirt is "vintage" I came across a few Op and Stussy shirts, but hey, those were the early 90s... so maybe they are considered vintage at this point.  Either way, I was overwhelmed with the plethora of tees that were all under $10- most were about $5, I managed to rummage through a couple of $3 boxes and came across some one of a kind hand crafted screen printed vintage shirts for $20.  I have a thing for all things vintage - tees, jewelry, and of course, old 70s style dresses.  I was lucky enough to find an amazing purple dress for $10 that I fully intend on wearing as soon as I get home.  Check it out.  I'm thinking of cutting and re-hemming the sleeves... any thoughts?

 

In case you didn't believe me! :)

Now, don't think that all this flea market had to offer was amazing, one of a kind vintage tees and dresses, it also has the same one of a kind antique furniture for a steal.  Unfortunately, I don't live local otherwise you might see me renting a truck for what I'd call "Flea Market Day" and roll home with the complete furnishings for my quant Venice Beach bungalow, then spend the rest of the day decorating and walking my dog on the beach.  Oh, man I just got lost in a day dream- someday!  Take a look at my pictures from the market and some of my favorite purchases! 

And the best one to date...

What makes this one even more special, is the muscle tank element to top it off.

Current Track: In the spirit of the locale of the trip... Mason Jennings: California

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

With my profession, I have the luxury of traveling from client to client all over the country. Hopefully someday I'll have a job that takes me all over the world. This perk has both its ups and downs like most things in life.  Besides the hotel points, frequent flyer miles, and all expenses paid meals, there is another aspect of the travel that I love.  The thing that I love the most about my traveling job is that for a brief moment while flying thousands of feet high, there is a moment, no matter what city I'm going, where I look out the plane window and imagine that I'm going someplace exotic- a piece of untouched territory that I can call my own.  And I am reminded of how vast this world is and how many places I haven't seen and want to see.  There's nothing like viewing the sunset from an airplane window- it seems to go on forever and in some ways, it feels like you get to see it set and rise at the same time.  I am never bored when I have the blessing of a window seat- all the things I dream and think about are endless. Next time you're flying somewhere and you're lucky enough to get a window seat- look out the window, enjoy the view, and think of all the places that are out there, even the places you can't imagine exist, and dream of a time when you will be able to see them all. 

It will probably take me a lifetime to see all the places that I desire, but isn't that what its supposed to be about, going from one adventure to the next?

If you can't get away on an adventure anytime soon, check THIS out. It never fails to get me pumped up. Maybe someday my blog will look and sound a little bit more like that! 

Ego Boost

So, I'm the kind of girl that likes to check my horoscope from time to time and buys books like The Secret Language of Relationships and What Color is your Aura?. Both of which are quite insightful with the a glass of wine in hand.  I know its silly, but what if its true- what if the horoscopes do have it right (sometimes)?  This is the sole reason why I like to take a quick gander here and there... because sometimes it will give you the needed ego boost to possibly make the horoscope accurate- I think its all about the attitude.

Today was one of those days... hey everyone needs a mid-week boost!

Capricorn
Suddenly you seem more glamorous than usual, Capricorn. You may exert a mysterious appeal that in the 1920s was called "it." Current and potential love partners may take a second look and be intrigued. Don't be surprised if you attract admiring glances from strangers! This could make a big difference in your love life. Lovers you encounter today should continue to see something in you for a long time. Make the most of "it"!


Thank you http://www.horoscope.com/ you've made my day. Let's see if any of it comes true... I wonder if I really do have an "it" factor today? :)  If not, why not fake it?

My Magic Shoes

I've had the same running shoes for entirely too long - I've loved them for about 3 years. Everytime I'd step out on the street or on the tredmill my knees would immediately start to hurt.  I decided to put the feelers out there on Facebook to see if anyone had any good shoe recommendations, they were all over the map, New Balance, Asics, Adidas, but then there was this one pair that had come up a few times... Mizuno's.  I'd never heard of them.  So since I couldn't decide between all the recommendations I had received. It was time to call in the big guns-Philadelphia Runner. This store is AMAZING! They fit you for the perfect shoe for your foot.  I figured if they couldn't give me the perfect pair, then I just wasn't destined to be a runner.  I'd just stick to Bikram Yoga at my favorite local studio - not a bad alternative since its my favorite form of exercise but unfortunately, I can't do it everywhere.   On a rainy afternoon, I went over to Philadelphia Runner and a very helpful girl fitted me and her first and only recommendation was for a pair of Mizunos!  The moment I put them on, I knew I'd fallin' in love. They were perfect, light, great arch support. I couldn't have asked for more.  She told me they were the best one's for my foot and said they would make me run like the wind.  I laughed and asked her if they were Magic Shoes! She said yes and that I would love them. And after my first run, I was hooked! No knee pain, blisters or new shoe discomfort, I fell into a great stride immediately.  The second time I wore them, I ran 3.5 miles at a 9:17min/mile pace.  This may be slow for some, but for me, this was running hard- but didn't realize my pace until after I finished- thanks to my Nike +ipod- which I'm also in love with! I'm usually a 10/10:30 min mile runner, so to run 9:17, I must have been bookin' it! But my Mizuno's left me feeling weightless and able to run like the wind.

So I've decided that Mizuno's might actually be Magic Shoes! I recommend them to all! Check out my pair below!

My recent favorite running pump up song- sometimes you just need to stick to the classics :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiCvV0o8cTA&feature=related

The Giving Tree

I’ve always enjoyed reading, especially children’s books. My collection has started to grow and as I read these lessons, I’ve started to notice how well they can be applied even as I get older. In this one story in particular, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein*, it tells a bittersweet tale of love between a boy and a tree. Every time I read the book, I would tear up. This most recent read, I teared up for different reasons. The message, in my perspective- based on my experiences, has changed over the years- and I find myself wanting to change the ending.

The Giving Tree encapsulates the relationship between a Boy and a Tree. At any given point in the Boy’s life the Tree would give it anything it needs to make the boy happy. The Tree loves the Boy with it’s whole heart and wants nothing but the Boy’s happiness in return. As a young Boy, the demands that he has from the tree are companionship: climbing on her branches, eating her apples, and resting on her trunk. But as the Boy grows older he needs more from the tree- her apples so that he can sell them and earn a living, her branches- so that he can build a home. The boy’s demands and needs become so much that the tree gives the boy everything- so much so all she is left with is a stump.

When I was younger, I read this story and thought, wow, what a wonderful story about giving to those that you love and only wanting their happiness in return. But as I grow older, the story brings on a whole other side of sadness to me. I started to realize that in many relationships, there were two roles- The Tree and the Boy- the one who gives until she has nothing left to give and the one who takes until they have everything they need. As I look back, I’ve been both roles to different people. The line that resonates best with me is when the tree gives the Boy her trunk so that he can make a boat and float far away, this is the point where the Tree had given everything it had to the Boy and there was nothing left for her to give him or to anyone else - “ and the tree was happy.... but not really.”

This got me thinking about my past relationships and how far I would go to make the other person happy- even if it meant giving up myself. And his line “and the tree was happy... but not really” is something that speaks volumes to me. So often, there is one person in a relationship that is too giving and even as a stump they still provide to those that they love. But when does giving become destructive to the Tree? In this tale, is there a point where the Tree should have said, No, I am not going to give you everything that I have and teach the boy that there is a point where you can’t give anymore nor should you ask for too much? I’m starting to think that there is a point that the tree should have said, enough is enough. I believe that point is right before Silverstein says “and the tree was happy- but not really”. To me, this is the point in the story where the Tree has sacrificed it’s happiness for the sake of the happiness of the Boy. This, to me, is where giving becomes destructive. If I could rewrite the ending to this story- I would not have had the Tree give until she was unhappy. I would have ended the story with the Tree telling the boy that she has nothing left to give him without giving up herself. And I would have allowed her to keep herself in tact perhaps then she would be able to give to another little boy - where all he needed was her companionship.

* The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein- purchase it online at www.amazon.com to read the full story.

20 Things

I recently came across an article that listed 20 things that each woman should do before they get married. I not only printed out the list, but it inspired me to create my own of things that I would like to accomplish before I make the plunge.

20 Things Each Woman Should Do before They get Married:

1. Live by herself for at least 1 year.

2. Live with someone else for at least a year.

3. Recover from a broken heart.

4. Have a vacation fling.

5. Take a road trip with girlfriends.

6. Relish sleeping in a queen-sized bed by herself.

7. Get her finances in order.

8. Learn to love her body.

9. Have sex with at least 1 person she'd never want to marry (or introduce to her mom).

10. Find a reliable birth control.

11. Pay off as much credit card debt and student loans as possible.

12. Spend way too much on something frivolous.

13. Exorcise all past relationship demons.

14. Travel somewhere exotic.

15. Establish a strong circle of friends.

16. Forgive her parents for not being perfect.

17. Have at least one night she can't remember.

18. Experience some really bad first dates.

19. Find hobbies that fulfill her.

20. Celebrate her 25th birthday.

I sent this list to a few of my friends and their responses to the list made me laugh. Each woman's response to how many things she had already completed was directly proportional to how ready they were for marriage, or in some cases, how much they wanted to be ready for it. Some said they had accomplished all the items, some said they completed most, and others, like myself, started to over analyze and think about what constitutes an "exotic vacation" - I went to Costa Rica a few years ago, but that just didn't seem exotic enough for me. Ironically, and to no surprise to a lot of my friends, this list wasn't enough for me, I needed to add on my own things. I guess I just felt like this list wasn't going to give me enough time. So, here are the 10 additional items that I came up with. What things would you add to the list, if anything? Here's my additions, if you need some inspiration :)

1. Move out of Philadelphia.

2. Be happy on my own (without a boyfriend).

3. Get a job outside my current industry.

4. Live in Chile for an extended period of time.

5. Learn Spanish.

6. Learn love my faults and learn from them.

7. Go to Bikram Yoga instructor training school.

8. Go on a bike tour throughout Greece.

9. Be my own best friend.

10. Be able to make a teapot in my pottery class.

*11. Celebrate my 27th Birthday.

Granted a lot of these things I can do when I'm married or have a serious boyfriend, but for some reason these seem like things I'd like to accomplish on my own. I added an eleventh item just for good luck. Enjoy reading the list and thinking of your own!