The Five Brands I’m Gushing Over Currently

NUMBER ONE – KATE SPADE

Kate Spade got started by launching a clothing line in 1993, and she now runs a lifestyle empire, full of pink and polka dots. I have her dining accessories on my table and stationary on my desk…but I want more!

I recently stopped in at Barnes & Noble and had to pry myself away from loading classics and paperbacks and coloring books into my arms…but my eyes were most drawn to Kate Spade’s collection here: shimmering desk tools, pretty papers and pens and fun cups and mugs.

NUMBER TWO – ban.do

I actually think I fell in love with this brand at Barnes & Noble, too, but now, I live for their sparkly and witty Instagram posts…and their expressive earrings…and funky beauty products…and gaudy home decor…and playful bags. If you know me, you should know that these pink items totally speak to me.

NUMBER THREE – OH JOY!

Joy Cho came onto the scene in 2005, with a graphic design studio. These days, you can find her stuff at Target, whether you’re looking for quirky furniture, baby clothing or band aids. She has a whole rose gold section (much like the brands above) that I’m dying to acquire.

NUMBER FOUR – FURBISH STUDIO

I stumbled upon Furbish, a boutique known for bold and eclectic gifts and finds, when I was searching for a large, colorful purse. The products all have an exotic feeling – but in a modern and cool way that I adore. Plus – again…more pink!

NUMBER FIVE – SUGARFIX by BAUBLEBAR

Who doesn’t love BaubleBar? And who isn’t obsessed with Target? And who is always looking for exciting jewelry that’s also affordable? I know I am, and now, all my dreams have come true!

just 10 things

1. WOODSON, TEXAS: I’m from this town of 296, where my dad is the superintendent of the one school, which my brother and I started going to in kindergarten; we both graduated from WHS – and I only had seven people in my class. My mom was my sixth grade teacher and still teaches there – and I teach there now, too. No, we didn’t ride horses to school (I don’t even own a pair of boots.), but yes, I love this safe and comfortable home.
2. WRITING: I remember asking my parents to buy me a tablet to write stories in when I was so young that some of my peers couldn’t even write complete sentences yet. English was always my favorite class in school, and I created my school’s newspaper and started contributing to my county’s weekly paper. I went on to major in journalism and write for publications like Austin Home, New York Resident and Us Weekly and cover events such as SXSW and New York Fashion Week. See where I’m currently writing via my online portfolio!
3. AUSTIN, TEXAS: I attended the University of Texas at Austin and can still hardly believe I graduated from such an esteemed school. Though I’m away from ATX right now, I’ll be back, because I love it all: Alamo Drafthouse, Cathedral of Junk, Spiderhouse, Greenbelt, The Domain, Kerby Lane, Toy Joy, SoCo, the Veloway – See a complete list of my faves here😉
4. MOVIES: I’ve always said my favorites are “A Walk to Remember the Titans”, combining two that I love. My family and I loveee going to the theater (mainly for popcorn and previews, amiright?), and if a movie can freak me out (in a scary or mind-blowing way (like “Predestination”…WaTcH!), I love it even more.
5. FASHION: I always joked that when I die, I want to be cremated and spread around a mall, because I can’t get enough of new trends, window displays, glossy magazines, fashion blogs, “Project Runway”, fashion boards on Pinterest and buying new accessories/outfits!
6. TRAVEL: I am used to making 28-hour drives to different states and have visited over half of them – and maybe a third of the baseball parks in the U.S. The only places I’ve visited internationally are Cologne, Germany, and Playa del Carmen, Mexico (loved both…can’t wait to see morrre).
7. CATS: I’ve probably owned about 75 cats, but right now, my husband and I are happily raising Catalina Crookshanks. I’ve also adopted a polar bear, and penguins = mine and Tommy’s spirit animals. Fourth fave animal = unicorn;)
8. GLITTER: Everything is better with glitter (just look at this blog title and/or ask Ke$ha;)
9. LOVE: I really really really do try to show love to all – why wouldn’t you? We’re all stuck on this rock together, so be nice/spread peace! Thankfully, it’s super easy to love my loved, because gawww, they’re amazing…like tooooo good to me.
10. LIFE: Speaking of being on this rock together, remember that it’s all about balance and perspective and blooming where you’re planted and being the best you can be and breathing and finding your passion/sharing it with others and being you and laughing until you cry!
    • Balance: You will have amazing moments of triumph and happiness, as well as horrible moments of stress and sadness. Through it all, you can eat chocolate when you’re sad and happy and dream about the future while still making the most of the present. Everything in moderation, with your head on straight.
    • Perspective: When those sad moments occur, try try try to find the silver lining. Know that everyone deals with loss. And when you’re overjoyed, know that there’s a time for everything, and even good things must come to an end. ALSO, I say these mantras over and over, but I just decided to change this one to “bird’s-eye view”, so that they all start with “B”!
    • Bloom Where You’re Planted: How many times have I blogged about this? My high school English teacher drilled this into my brain, and now, I have it hung in my house and sneak it into my English lessons. You are where you are. Will you always be there? Probably not – since we’re always in a state of motion, with moves and career changes and marriage and etc. So wherever you are and wherever you end up, do your best in that very place.
      • ALSO, I’ve written a good deal about this state of motion: I used to say that life was all about waiting – We wait in lines and drive-thrus. We wait for our alarms to go off, our coffee to brew…for work to start and then be over…then wait until it’s time for dinner, bed and it all to start again.
      • Recently, however, I’ve been thinking that it’s all about change, too; my bff and I feel like we’re always…well…waiting for the next big thing! As we wait and move forward, we encounter these big life events, such as graduating college, finding a full-time gig, getting married, buying a house and having kids. I guess it isss exciting that there’s always something to look forward to…It just seems like the in-between (the “upside-down” I – and other “Stranger Things” fans – may call it) time is just…there – and this time of limbo just flies by!
      • So enjoy those little moments that do make you laugh until you cry, which can be filled with things as simple as going for a walk, stretching as you get out of bed, cuddling with your cat and this.
    • Be The  Best You Can Be: The Woodson ISD motto is a good one, and it’s simple (So why do we complicate things?): Be the best human you can be. Do your very best at every single thing you do. Period. Yay.

P.S. – Happy six-year dating anniversary to my husband, Thomas Wayne Baze. ❤

Austin Bucket List (&then some;)

This started as a checklist for my Austin Bucket List, but then I kept remembering other awesome stuff I’ve done elsewhere! Therefore, I’ve broken down my life, giving you the adventurous highlights AND all the cool stuff I’ve done in the 512…

1990-1999:

First steps, words, day of school and lost teeth (and busted out teeth and fake teeth, due to a spill on the gym floor, since, even at a young age, you couldn’t keep me away from a basketball!)

Nearish-death #1 (man tried to break in and kidnap me as a child)

Austin:

First trip to ATX

2000-2005:

First junior high basketball game (in which our team received a technical for having six girls on the court)

Went to NYC

Broke the Red Sox Curse (by visiting Fenway for the first time)

Disney World + Orlando trip

2006-2007:

First kiss/boyfriend

Went to Germany (where I met my current bf!)

2008:

Nearish-death #2 (caught in a Gulf riptide and thrown into rocks multiple times)

2009:

Got first car (Bevo Squarepants)

Graduated from high school

Austin:

Got first tattoo

First college parties, classes and dorm

2010-2014:

Went to Hawaii

First couple roadtrip

Covered NYFW

Graduated college

Spent Christmas in New York City

Austin:

Knocked the following off my ATX Bucket List: Alamo Drafthouse, Violet Crowne, fly a kite at Zilker Park, Trail of Lights, shop/eat on SoCo, Peter Pan Mini Golf and hike/bike/kayak/Sup on/at Mt. Bonnell/Lady Bird Lake/Veloway

2015:

Started my own business

Nearish-deaths #3 and #4 (stalked in NYC; had to talk to cops about someone trying to break into my car…while I was in it)

First friend engaged (Congrats, Kirstie & Jordan!)

Austin:

Did SXSW (I’d been involved before, but having a platinum badge from Us Weekly, interviewing celebs like Ryan Gosling, going to panels and parties…This year was different;)

My parting words? The things remaining on my to-do list!

In Austin:

Hippie Hollow

Pinballz

Hamilton Pool

Jacob’s Well

Esther’s Follies

Capital Comedy Club

In Life:

See all of Europe

See the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Mount Rushmore

Have my dream wedding

Reproduce

Publish a book

What’s on your to-do list??