Craving...

1. mama's beautifully decorated tree 2. sledding down art hill 3. christmas breakfast 4. my two favorites, plus mom and pop and Jon. and Jack!

Counting down the hours!

Wrapping It Up

After an oil change and a quick trip to the mall to finish(/start) my Christmas shopping, I spent the night wrapping it up. For whatever reason, I have not been hit by the Christmas bug quite yet, but wrapping my gifts did the trick! Maybe it had to do with this adorable gift paper or the christmas tree candle I had burning or talking to my fam about what to get for each other. Whatever it was, I am giddy with glee about this Holiday season that is soon to be!

It's Friday!

Cheers to the weekend!

(via glitter guide)

With Sprinkles on Top

How adorable are these photos of Miss Kiki Barger? My little sis was playing around with her camera this summer and decided the doughnut platter she gifted Kiks with on her birthday was a perfect photo op! And I guess it helps that Miss Barger is a patootie!

Life is Good!

After a long and tiring ride, Sunday finally came and allowed for me to throw my kickstand to the ground and enjoy some much needed R&R. Life is good!

(props to mama. one of her first instagrams on her iphone)!

Had to...

I just had to reblog these absolutely stunning wedding dresses I saw on a cup of joe the other day. Other than the gorgeous model being far to thin for my liking, the rest captures nothing but pure grace!

(via laure de sagazan)

You Can Do It!

My inspiration to get through what will be a very, very busy week.

(via destined to design)

Katie's Pizzeria

As the season of giving thanks is upon us, tonight I want to share with you my thanks for Katie's Pizzeria. It's been way too long since I've stared through this window (what a tease this photo is... mouth officially watering). I cannot wait to experience that hole-in-the-wall-atmosphere, Gorgonzola ravioli dunked in pesto, the tang of homemade salad dressing, roasted chicken & goat cheese pizza, all paired with purple lips (preferably the foris pinot noir)!

(via) 

Tis the Season

My favorite holiday of the year is less than three days away, what the H-E-double hockey stick? Where does the time go? I swear? I am completely disappointed in myself for the delay of my pre-season excitement. Thanksgiving dinner will be served on my very own kitchen table at 1700 folkstone and for that I am blessed!

Besides spending five whole days with my family, I am looking forward to 1) being home sweet home 2) listening to Zooey Deschanel belt out my favorite tunes of the season. 3) Passing my grandma's famous stuffing around our big long table, full of bloomin' buckets and wine glasses galore. 4) Stuffed to the brim, I will make my sister paint one hand and my mom the other 5) while lounging beneath this waffle knit blanket. Tis the season!

2012

With 2012 right around the corner (what?), I am due for a new calendar. Well lucky me! Look what I just found. It looks like my 2012 will be filled with many beautiful things!

(via katie evans on pinterest)

Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. 

L-O-V-E, LOVE

Wedding bells are a ringin' and the birds they are a singin'. With 3 weddings in the next 11 months,  you can imagine the wedding details being discussed. I must share with you one of my absolute favorite wedding details. You may remember this adorable couple from their quirky Save the Date. This video simply sums up what all weddings should be, a fabulous party full of L-O-V-E, LOVE.

Up, Up & Away

I am off to Chicago for a fun-filled, festive weekend but, before I go I must leave you with this. The most adorable young "old" man you will ever lay eyes on! This cutie pattotie dressed as Carl from "Up." Little Rizden wins my heart and my vote for most genius costume. I could just eat him "up (Thanks for sharing, Meg).

Happy Friday! Hold on tight to your balloons and see where the weekend takes you! 

(via huffington post)

Merry Creativity!

A little pre-season holiday cheer for you all this morning! Last week I attended the holiday window display workshop at Anthropologie where we spent two hours tapping, cutting, and bombarding the visual coordinator with well over 21 questions. What a dream job! It was incredible to learn of all the time and work that goes in to each window display. The coolest part is that headquarters sends each store a protocol of the upcoming display and allows each visual coordinator to do with it what they wish. A longitude of creativity... what more could one ask for!

After the workshop you can imagine I was on a high, my brain was running wild with ideas so naturally I spent the rest of the night(/morning) looking through the 200+ Anthropologie Facebook albums. Crazy, yes. Regretful, no!

The above holiday display is one of my favorites. Who the hell would think to take white paper plates, tie-dye them green and create a christmas tree? I love it! If you ever have a lot of time on your hands, feel like pulling an all nighter, or craving inspiration, I recommend Anthropologie's Facebook page.

(completely bummed I didn't bring my camera to the workshop. all I have are mental snapshots, none to share. but sooner than later we will all get to see the finished product, the 2011 holiday window masterpiece! this will mark the official beginning to my holiday season.)
(via)

I'll take one of each, please. Thank you!

(via clare vivier)

Meet the Sheinbarts

A few weekends ago JB and I headed out west with the rest of the Smith clan to Cave Creek, Arizona to visit the grandparents. Ruthie and Buddy Sheinbart. WHAT A TRIP (literally and figuratively)! I will not even attempt to put into words the entertaining life of Captain Buddy and Nana Ruth that I got to experience for a short, three-day stay! From "pussy" the cat to the purple leather sectional, from hand-me-down sweaters to story time with Buddy, the trip was full of love and laughter! The dry heat, ever-shining sun, pool side lounging, desert hikes, and dog fish head 90 minute were just the icing on the cake!

Time's Up

My Oh My! It has been awhile. My days away we can discuss at a later date. Right now it's time to pull my (poor) little green clutch out of the closet and fill it full! Good things to come! 

(via etsy)

A "Little Joy"

I recently discovered the band, Little Joy (thank you Emmadime), and fell hard... not only for the catchy tune "Next Time Around," but for their adorable and only female band member, Binki. Can't get enough of Binki and her not too shabby band mates!

Mommy Dearest

A little late, but what else would you expect?! Happy birthday to my mama! I went back to Saint Louis this past weekend to help with the five wedding extravaganza. Although I worked at the Buckets for some time, having been out of the loop for almost a year, I was a bit rusty... to say the least. Let's just say after it was all said and done my dogs were a barkin' and my head was a bobbin'.

I truly have no clue how my mom does it. How does she keep five weddings straight? Five different venues? Five different color schemes? Five hundred million details? And now trying to help my sister plan her wedding, how does one manage?

Mom, you are a true inspiration. You are the hardest worker around. You are the most selfless person I know. You are my best friend and I couldn't be happier I got to spend the weekend with you. I wish you the happiest of birthdays, mom. You deserve nothing but the absolute best! Cheers to you Babs!

xoxo,
goo tang!

My Sister's Engaged!

Words cannot express how happy I am for this incredible couple above! My sister met a man in Charlotte, he's wonderful, and brilliant and now they're getting married (a little father of the bride for you amateurs). I have always wanted a brother, but I never dreamed of being so lucky to land a blue eyed, fun-loving, goon like the one above. He fits our family like a glove.

Cheers to KC and Jon and all there is to come!!!

That is all.

(via, but who really knows the original source when it comes to tumblr. Is it just me or does anyone else get completely lost when it comes to tracking down the original source in the blogosphere? I am trying hard to give credit to those who deserve it, but it has become a difficult task and a push to stop reblogging. But for the time being who cares? All that matters is that life is beautiful!)

Monday Manners

Tardiness is Tacky. Although I truly believe politeness is promptness, you can call me impolite when it comes to being on time. Five to ten minutes late to just about anything. I guess it's better than twenty, right? Setting all clocks and watches five minutes fast, fail. Setting three alarms every morning, another fail. 11:29 pm on a Monday and here I am presenting to you my Monday Manners. Better go. I must start minding my manners.

(via downtownfrombehind)

Simple Staples

I am going on my fourth week of avoiding the grocery store and I couldn't be more proud! Prior to these four weeks I was on a fairly routine schedule of going to the grocery every other week and making a monthly trip to costco (which is still key). Within these four weeks of grocery deprivation, I have by no means been kept hungry, I have simply learned how to live on my "must-have supply of simple staples." I have saved money, gas, time, and calories; money being key! Knowing I can save money and still fill my belly has me sharing my secrets with my broke college sister. Willing to share my long list with whomever ever wants in, but for now I will stick to the staples (in no order of importance).

1. bread
2. potatoes
3. pasta/quinoa
4. cheese (sliced and crumbled)
5. peanut butter
6. salt and pepper
7. hot sauce
8. olive oil/salad dressing
9. chicken and turkey (sparely) 
10. eggs
11. cereal
12. pretzels
13. nuts
14. popcorn
15. water

Big keys: buy in bulk. costco or sams club membership is well worth it. non-perishable. easy prep.

Reading through the recipes in my roommates real simple magazines typically seems far from a reality, especially when groceries are far and few between and when meat has become a delicacy. However, if you look hard enough... dreams do come true. Amazing when you are only short one or two ingredients!

Sorry to bore, but lately I can't say enough about my simple staples.

(via real simple)

Colors

Working at the Buckets I saw some pretty awesome color combos, as colors are one of my mama's specialities (possibly her best and what she is well known for). After years of work for my mama and possibly some inherited traits, I like to think I have picked up on her knack for colors. Whether or not that is the case, I am in love with the above bouquet. The combination of colors really does it for me (and  the anemones may have a little to do with it).

(via style me pretty)

P.S. thanks Kas for the inspiration!

America

Bud, I am sure you are well aware, but I wanted to remind you that you are really good at what you do. Although I am a true Saint Louis Anheuser-Busch fan/supporter/lover, Budweiser may be my least favorite beer - next to Miller Light of course. But those new cans you got going on have been seducing me like a mad temptress. I want you for one thing and one thing only, your looks! Hot dog, diggity damn!

Read about the redesign of bud cans here. Interesting article.

(via & via)