Lauren from Texas

// via Paperfashion 1 >> I just got home from my friend Andrea’s house. This woman is really amazing. She has 4 kids, homeschools the two oldest, runs a very successful gourmet cakes and catering business, and still finds time to have wine and artichoke dip (that she made!) with me and talk until after midnight about many, many thoughts and feelings. I love her. One day, she will guest post for me. Until then, read her blog: Goddess of Eats 2 >> It’s almost 1am on Friday. I have to be at work in 7 hours. Oddly enough, this is a new norm for me. I can’t remember the last time I went to bed before midnight. 3 >> There is a [...]

The show Hoarders is a train wreck. It’s awful and horrifying but I can’t look away. The guy with all the rabbits? That were multiplying like…well, rabbits? And the one with all the chickens? I want to grab these people, give them a good shake, and gently distract them while I take all their animals to a farm and then torch their homes. Seriously, you’ve gotta start from scratch with that kind of mess. I consider myself to be an anti-Hoarder. Okay, so I collect tiny vintage dog figurines and find it hard to toss things with sentimental value, but for the most part, throwing away and organizing gives me a thrill and keeps me sane. So imagine my surprise when I [...]

{Since I don’t get enough sleep these days, Pancho is doubling up for me} One day I will stop blogging about how much I am working / how tired I am, but today is not that day. And if you wonder why is she blogging instead of sleeping? the answer is simple. I’m documenting this time, because when things are normal again, I want to remember what I accomplished and how hard I pushed myself to get Michael and I through his last semester. When we are living the life we’ve always wanted, I want to remember that it was not handed to us, and that we worked our butts off every step of the way. Like last week. Based on [...]

// via 1 >> I really love my job with the media company. We have amazing clients, my boss is awesome, and his wife brings me red velvet cupcakes, which makes her my favorite person in the world. Plus, their two-year-old is the cutest. She loves to visit the office and “help us work” — which consists of watching Calliou on her mom’s iPhone and dancing to Ice Ice Baby throughout the office. What I’m trying to say is, there are much worse ways to make a living. 2 >> This week took a significant turn for the better on Thursday. In fact, I can’t believe it’s already (almost) the weekend again. This Saturday-Sunday I’ll be catching up on housework [...]

{via} Sometimes I like to imagine that I am Wonder Woman, except blonde and not as muscular, and that I can go through my weeks effortlessly, using my superpowers to banish anything bad that tries to come after me. The fact of the matter is that when bad things happen, I want to simultaneously curl up into a little ball and cry, while yelling and punching a wall. I don’t think Wonder Woman ever did anything like that. At least not openly. This week has been awful. Many small things have happened that have added up to one stressed, tired, non-Wonder Woman. And it’s only Wednesday. The top 3 terrible things that have happened this week: >> I gave a presentation on [...]

I always enjoy the “on who I am (at the moment)…” posts by the ever-so-lovely Kerri, and thought it might be fun to do something similar today tonight. I have: Been wearing glasses every day, and am up to three pairs (I’ll be blogging the latest pair — and a giveaway — soon!). Which means I totally choose my glasses based on my outfit + jewelry. Don’t judge, you know you do it too. An eye doctor appointment Tuesday morning to get fitted (is it called “fitted”?) for contacts. I love my glasses but I’d like to have the option to not wear them some days. Which is hilarious because my whole childhood, all I wanted was to wear glasses [...]

{photo via, edited with instagram} 1. I wrote a lot of words this week. Thanks for reading and for the comments, tweets, and messages. There were a couple of times throughout the week when I realized everything I am doing at the moment and nearly had a panic attack. Each night, I didn’t feel like doing anything but sitting on the couch and staring into space. A year ago, I probably would have done just that. Heck, even 6 months ago. I’m so glad I pushed through and wrote. I’m proud of myself for pushing through. It’s like running, or anything else — once you force yourself to do it, you hit your stride and feel much better. 2. My [...]

{via} Last week, I walked into a shop selling feminine wares and wiles to ask if they were interested in purchasing some advertising from the newspaper. No one was at the counter, so I began to meander through the spacious, rambling store, half exploring and half looking for someone in charge. The store itself was amazing, with something for everyone’s taste. I spotted items ranging from modern to vintage, kitschy to classic. I helped myself to a caramel from a bowl and, as I enjoyed my sweet treat, was drawn to a very special display. You know how, in IKEA, there are staged bedrooms? And when you find one you really like, you want to curl up with a good [...]

(via) I’m afraid of a lot of things. I know, I know. ”The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Or how about “fear is a friend that’s misunderstood”? That’s right, I just quoted John Mayer. Settle in, I’ll be here awhile. But those reassuring quotes don’t stop me from being terrified of the craziest things. Most of my fears stem from being alone. Like taking a shower when I’m home alone. Look, I saw Psycho, and I don’t need that right now. Or listening to music too loud and not being able to hear when someone sneaks into my house. Plus, I hear so many noises every night. Michael loves when I wake him up in the middle [...]

I like the idea of keeping tabs on myself through this blog. It’s very easy to make goals but not tell anyone, then quietly break them later because they get to be too challenging. It’s more difficult to bail out if you tell a bunch of people. I think that’s probably science or something. As March comes to a close, I am shocked at how quickly the first three months of this year have passed. Here’s the progress I’ve made on my list in these 90 days (give or take). New Years Resolutions: • Define & refine my personal style. • Become a morning person and therefore a more productive person. {Style} >>DETERMINE a distinct and purposeful, yet still eclectic [...]