Remembering A Legacy

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

You will be missed. 

xo

Style Board: Chic C'est La Vie

Meet Anna Beth -- a fellow blogger, a stylish and smart graduate of Mizzou's J-School, a Bravo and etsy enthusiast, and most importantly, a fan of fine paper goods. AB and I met in a theatre course my senior year at MU. We didn't chat much; we mostly shared a few good laughs -- that class offered a plethora of punchy personalities. Go on and show us your Fosse Hands! As a result of some group assignments, we added one another on Facebook and went our separate ways. Huzzah for indirect friendships fostered by FB! After college and a few years in Swell Rio, there were times when I'd share a Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe reference in an occasional status, and she was one of the few that got it. This was the extent of our friendship, but I knew she was quality by her taste in HGTV (and Bravo, of course). Oy with the poodles already!

Rewind to June 2011 -- the beginning of my blogging mania. Just when I thought no one was reading this silly thing, I received a few comments and one of them was from Anna Beth. We exchanged an email or two, and she continued to offer kind feedback and support. It turns out we have a great deal in common and share a lot of the same feelings. Pinterest and etsy took our friendship to a whole different level. We began pinning and adding the same vendors. How could our tastes be so similar? Why didn't we hang out when we lived in the same town? Did she really know the exact name of my Kate Spade purse? Woah! It got a little eery at times, and I'm still convinced we were separated at birth. We share a mutual appreciation for terms like "adorkable," and Zoe-isms such as "bananas" and "obvi", but there's more to our friendship than just mazels for Andy and cute note cards. 

Over the past month or two, Anna Beth has emailed me some of the greatest advice. She has a knack for saying the right thing at the right time. She has the ability to share the right quote or verse that is completely appropriate. She's bright, cheerful, wise beyond her years, and honest. I can't say enough wonderful things about her. She keeps me in check and has helped me realize the difference between introspection and being the hostess to my own sad sap soiree. 

We took our nerdy factor to a whole new level in August when we became pen pals. Be jealous. Her envelopes are decorated with snazzy Japanese Washi Tape. I get mail from AB, and I suddenly want to do a little jig. I feel very blessed to have been reconnected with her, and to have the opportunity to learn more about her. There aren't enough Thank-You notes in the world to express my gratitude for Anna Beth and the friendship she's shown me over the past few months, but I'll keep trying to reciprocate the sunshine she's given me.

Anywho, enough of the gush fest. Here's Anna Beth's style/inspiration collage...  

What inspires you?

• Leopard Scarf: J.Crew. I've already worn it a few times, regardless of the weather. I love it that much.
• The Book: 1950 Jane Eyre in French. Found it on a used book Website for $20 and had to get it. I fell in love with the cover; I'm a sucker for packaging.
• Essie's Jamaica Me Crazy: Currently on my toes. A perfect fall color with just the right amount of sparkle. 
• Inside the Book: The save-the-date for a dear friend's wedding that's next spring. It's printed on wood and wrapped in twine. And the envelope (not pictured) is covered in vintage stamps. I'm framing it. No joke. 
• Kate Spade Sparkle Flats: I dreamed about these shoes for months when they were out, but I couldn't justify buying them, and then they disappeared. My mom found them at T.J. Maxx for a third of the original price and surprised me with them for my birthday. Now I just need a place to wear them. Are they too much for the grocery store?

Thanks for sharing, AB! I think your sparkly flats could sweeten the deal on any dull day, but would definitely take the cake at a fancy fete. Could we call you twinkle toes?

Happy Wednesday!

Toodles,

ANF

Let's Talk Matchbook

Seriously, the writers, editors, designers, etc., at Matchbook really just need to quit it already. Verklempt doesn't even BEGIN to describe the way I feel about each issue! They make me giddy with delight. I wait in anticipation for each month's issue to go live. Yes, I obsessively checked their site on Friday and Saturday. Stop judging, I just figured the issue might drop the last day of September. "Wouldn't that be a sweet treat?" I got up on Saturday morning and clicked refresh. "Hello, October! Show me the new Matchbook." Don't worry, I gave Sunday a rest; I guess they probably deserve it. "Surely it will go live on Monday. That would be the greatest way to kick off the week!" And just like a cup of hot cocoa with extra whipped cream, there she was -- hot off the press with Joy Venturini Bianchi's caricature-like chicness gracing the front cover. Have you seen a more stunning cover? How do they do it? Which got me thinking, WHY do I get so twitterpated over an online publication? Why can't I feel this way all the time? What is it that makes me feel this way? Make the interrogation stop.

The answer? I don't think I've felt this way about a magazine since I was in grade school. Let me set the scene. I was the kind of girl who eagerly checked her mailbox each month for the new issue of American Girl (hard-hitting journalism, I'm aware). As silly as it sounds, it was the first publication that made me feel bubbles in my stomach -- the kind of joy you feel on Christmas Eve night, or when you meet someone new and discover you have similar taste (You want to be best friends with Kate Spade, too? You're addicted to etsy and J.Crew?). This is the only way I can explain my adoration for Matchbook. It is these sorts of creative publications that make me love magazines. Reading an issue of Matchbook makes me want to doodle and dance, and that's the same way I felt when I finished poring over an issue of AG years and years ago. In a time when I'm still meeting people in a new location (awkward) and dearly miss those scattered across the country, this feeling brings me comfort and such joy. I wish I could bottle this kind of excitement and inspiration. It is contagious! Thank you, Matchbook, for making me feel invigorated each month. Your spark of charm, style, and wit are most appreciated.

And now that I've rambled with great zeal, here are five of my fave highlights from October's issue... 

Nod and smile in agreement when you read The Matchbook Girl...

Check and check. Do you find yourself thinking, "They get me every time." Guilty!

Yes, indeed. All mittens SHOULD have pom poms. Who doesn't love a coat just like Paddington Bear?

A Wardrobe Staple

Boat & Totes and Duck Boots sparked my love for Maine.

 Timeless Classics: A Bevy of Baubles

Absolutely brilliant. I want em all!

Beauty & Glamour: Janet Hill

I've wanted one of her pieces for quite some time. The fact that Matchbook is equally enamored by her work makes me want to scream, "Did we just become best friends?!"

A peek inside Janet's studio and office was quite a treat.

 Dazzling with Delight: A Lively Force of Good

"Hello, I'm here!" she trills... 

Her round Gucci frames and silver bouffant make her iconic, but her giving spirit and kindness are most admirable.

My favorite part of the article? The last paragraph or two. "I need addresses, because I write letters!"
A Matchbook girl indeed.

What did you love most about October's issue? 

It's about time I take another look at it. I'm sure I missed something wonderful.

Happy Tuesday!

Toodles,

ANF

P.S. In case you were wondering, I still have my stack of old American Girl magazines in my hope chest at my parents' house. I'll probably dust them off when I visit at Christmas for kicks and giggles.

Currently Coveting

Well, hello sunshine! I could rock this lovely bangle like Snoop rocks the mic any day. 

You know I adore the polka-dot motif. Ladies (and Flyboy), meet Bauble Bar's Lemon Mod Cuff.

Weekend Shenanigans

Happy Monday, Lovelies! Life on Puna was pretty delightful this weekend. There was a lot of relaxing, contagious laughter, and crossing items off our To-Do List. Don't you just love when productivity and rest rendezvous? Here are a few weekend highlights...

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." -- Anne Frank

Saturday morning was welcomed with Birthday Donuts from Starbucks. While a bit on the sinful side, it's my birthday month, so I made an exception. The tiny pink fried pastries with sprinkles were screaming my name.

And yes, there was also a cup o' heavenly caffeine. I can't help but think of You've Got Mail. "Just call me Joe."

A trip to the mall for Flyboy's haircut usually means "me" time at Barnes & Noble and J.Crew. I love when Flyboy's mane gets shaggy. This Saturday's trip was a true success! I found The Sewing Bible -- a book I believe will teach me how to use my new sewing machine, or what I like to call the beginning of pillow-palooza. 

Another great find? These adorable Thank-You Notes courtesy of Kate Spade. I've wanted to add these note cards to my stationery wardrobe for awhile.

A trip to the mall left me pining for these flats from Banana. 

I finally got to enjoy Bridesmaids with Flyboy, where big belly laughs and numerous snorts ensued. He missed out on seeing it with my fam at the cinema this summer, so I was itching to have him watch it. He was thoroughly entertained. 

On Sunday, we went for a bike ride. Flyboy got a new jersey and bibs for his birthday, so he was eager to wear them and release his inner-Schleck brother. As you're probably already aware, I like to play the role of supportive wife, so I also own a road bike. This was one way I wooed him in college. He put a ring on it, and this back fired BIG time. Ladies, don't pretend to pick up the hobbies of your significant other. Every time I put on this silly costume, I don't feel anything like Lance Armstrong when we're riding. I just thank God I'm able to clip my pedals and keep my balance. The downside to this kind of marital support? The bike shorts. I still feel like Cam when I put them on.

The area below my waist should be blurred out. I try to wear a colorful jersey with some sort of pattern (as seen above). It's my attempt at minimizing the focus on my legs (aka the sausage links). Strap on a helmet for a polished and completely ridiculous look. 

In other news, the pooches got their nails did at Petco. (Wow, this is really starting to sound as lame as those silly Christmas newsletters!) It wasn't quite the disastrous experience I'd envisioned. Of course, we arrived during the Sunday dog training lesson. Go ahead and distribute the dunce caps and refer to us as the Fine Fido Flunkies. "Stupid is as stupid does" explains things around our house. 

Grillaxin' Grindz: We made these Sweet Mustard BBQ Pork Chops for dinner. They were delish! And the best part? The bloggers are fellow Tigers. Can I get a M-I-Z? 

I finally got to make my Zucchini Fries and Sriracha Aioli. I'm gonna go ahead and brag. They were flippin' fantastic! 

Pinner, pinner, chicken dinner! While Flyboy fell asleep on the chaise, I perused Pinterest and was reminded of this magnificent Matchbook ensemble appropriate for a fall day at the farmer's market. Even if it's still warm around here, it feels like autumn in the blogosphere. Can't you feel the cool crispness in the air and hear the crunching leaves?

What did you do this weekend? Does anyone have any exciting news? Did you do anything fun? 

Try something new? Do share.

Make today count.

Toodles,

ANF

P.S. Keep your style/inspiration collages coming! It would be fun to mix things up around here and learn  more about YOU. Email me your photo and include a list of items in the image. Interested but currently swamped? Not to worry! I'll feature your photos as I receive them. Not sure what I'm talking about? Check out Friday's post here. I encourage you to join in on the fun...