how to be a better person...

this is something i am going to put into practice daily. 

a few key things i like to remember to make myself a better person...

one) if you're lucky, you'll always have closer family than friends

two) every day is another chance to grow, learn + mature

three) don't take any day for granted 

omgomgomg.

get yours.

{ ten things }

so... i caved. after admiring this dress from a dot com distance, i finally purchased. in love. so now, naturally, i'm thinking about ways to accessorize this shabby chic dress with a mix of tribal, 70s + classic pieces. whaddya think?

Claudia Set

$54 - anthropologie.com

House of Harlow 1960 vintage pumps

$214 - lorisshoes.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch handbag

Chain jewelry

18 karat gold jewelry

By Malene Birger metal jewelry

Nine west watch

Dominic Jones rose gold jewelry

H m sunglass

LOMOGRAPHY Diana F+ (sans flash)

{ walking with dolphins }

literally. we walked beside eight dolphins at once. 

i definitely had some much-needed down time, void of emails and facebook {i know}, but made these cute new non-fb friends.

 aren't they cute?

"ugh. where? i don't see any dolphins?" 

 :)

xo

{ the many sleeping positions of a doodle }

doodles are interesting creatures of many sleeping positions. here are some of my faves.

love it.

{ sun+beach= vacay }

i hava been Mia - i know! but i am currently sitting on the beach with wind in my tangled hair + a book watching dolphins play in front of me. {truth.} and i can't figure out how to upload a pic to blogger from my phone. soo we will just save that for later. {or, if you're so inclined, you can see pics from my twitter feed - @ajaosu.

now... time to turn so i won't burn!

:) happy friday!

xo

{ happy pink wednesday }

here's something bright + fun for hump day...

just a quick snapshot of my new fave skirt. {yes. from anthropologie.} pink, chiffon, girlie... what's not to love?!

hope you're having an amazingly, sunny day! i have quite a full schedule these days, but hope to be able to kick back + relax soon enough. 

more updates on a heinous week to come!

planting the idea...

last year, i decked out my front porch like this.

this year... i'm looking for sweet, new flowery ideas. i live in tight quarters, so too much would look tacky, but i want just enough to maintain privacy + that feel-good "look what i've managed to keep alive" feeling upon arriving home from work. ;)

ideas welcome!

xo

{ cheers }

i don't know why on earth i want a drink cart. i need one like a hole in the head. and i have exactly ten cubic inches available to accommodate one. {so unless it hangs upside down from the ceiling, i don't see it in my immediate future.} but until that glorious day when more space is mine, i'll continue to research.

these plus more can be round in apartment therapy's roundup here.

{ the empire }

call me a super cheese ball... but... i love gossip girl and therefore... i was geeked up to stay in the empire hotel this week during my nyc trip.

 such a tourist. i know. 

now, how to go about making my way to the penthouse...

{ ¡taco taco! }

happy happy! 

here are a few photos from a little celebration a few years ago with all of my favorites from sbc! a backyard margarita party sounds just right today, too. 

{aren't we cute?}

fresh from traveling, i feel like i should get my life in order {aka workout, do laundry, eat something semi-healthy and pet the pooch}, but i have a feeling around six pm, tacos and sunshine will be calling my name. decisions, decisions!

do you have any exciting cinco de mayo plans?

{ layering love }

in love with all the neutral layers. {even the stacked jewelry.}

via here.

{ rowing in the hills: the third and final installment }

"which way to the ocean?"

land ho!

 taking in the sights.

 pretty as a picture! our little boat house.

 vino, anyone?

 i don't know why i don't already have one of these in my home.

 malbec{s} :)

excited for a return trip, hopefully this summer or fall!