hiatus.

After a short-lived hiatus, we'll return full-fledged just in time for the giant cloud of smoke to rise over our old stomping grounds in Boulder, CO on 4/20. Until then, enjoy a glimpse of life lately.

Life has been busy. We hosted Easter brunch, my sister-in-law had a birthday, my gf got a darling new puppy, Matilda, baby brother (not-so-baby) broke his leg in the downpour we had in Chicago on Saturday night, our TV is on death row, we celebrated the engagement of two of my favorites, the pug remains ever-so-devoted to her grandpa, and although it's hardly new, I'm still loving my monogrammed iphone case, from B.

sick day.

Please excuse us while we drown ourselves in DayQuil - catch ya tomorrow!

snoozin' and treats.

Maybe I'm a little behind the times and everyone else is already familiar with Marcel the Shell, but if not, I'm glad that I could bring this ray of sunshine into your life, as he just entered mine not more than 48 hours ago. Anyhoo, remember the girl who dropped the F-bomb on SNL a few years back? Turns out she and her fiancee are geniuses. The following three clips will show you everything that you need to know.

It's just another Tuesday in your cubicle, but at least your sister didn't float away on a balloon.

lucky pug.

My crazy pug turns a whopping 7 years old this week, and I can’t wait to celebrate with baby girl.

I generally steer clear of all things "pug obsessed" because I think they are strange and "those people" need to get a life. As it turns out, I  may be one of those people, and a puppy party seems like my kind of fête. 

A few inspirations..

In lieu of ordering a (edible) dog cake, I found this recipe for "pupcakes" I plan to try.

Pug-pops for my lady friends, learned here.

Party hats may be necessary.

The defining party moment:

(Chloe, age: 16 weeks)

gibberish.

It's Thursday, and I just got back from LA, which is a story for another day, but being at the airport reminded me of this awesome video I found on Gawker forever ago, "How English Sounds to Non-English Speakers". It's interesting to see things from the other side.
It's hard to imagine, but once upon a time a baby Kaya arrived in Chicago without knowing a word of English. Over time, I've realized that's where my soft spot for foreigners, immigration rights, and giving directions to lost tourists comes from. It's the only area of my life in which I can say I am truly patient.

Now if I could just make something of the 7+ years of french I took, I'd really be in business. xx

a b. with an itch (for monogrammed merchandise)

I love my initials, and it's not a secret. However, it might be a sickness. Some of my reasoning is that if I brand my purse with my initials then no one will try to steal it (although check out how weathered that puppy is after two years), and the rest of it might stem from some currently undiagnosed egocentric disorder. I won't even show you my license plate. But to be fair, either the single or double "B" has been my nickname for as long as I can remember, and sometimes it's taken one step further with the full B.O.B. True story, I've got the birth certificate to prove it.

As if this sign-off is even necessary..

fancy pants.

Not sure if you've noticed, but the cools kids are really on to something here.

Kelly Framel.

Is it strange that I know that this is Jenna Lyons?

Taylor Tomasi Hill.

Other fashionable people.

I'll admit it. I'm kind of over dresses. (I said kind of!) There's really something to be said for good looking comfort and not having to worry about how your legs are crossed or if a dangerous breeze is en route. What's the alternative, you ask? Ladies and gents, I bring you the fanciest of all fancy pants. And you thought colored denim was brave. Next time, I dare you to try a flower print as big as your face.

Tibi :: camilla and marc :: Tucker :: Alice + Olivia

And as long as I can procure an appropriate top to go with these, I have found my first pair of dress-replacing winners.

:: available aquí ::

design yourself, hey hey.

It's Monday. You're tired, and barely capable of actual work. Try this instead.

Unless you've had a self-portrait commissioned, which would actually be rather strange, you haven't had the overwhelming joy of seeing your likeness in an illustration. When I first happened on the DesignHerGals website a few years ago, I may or may not have been on the computer for an hour. Or two. It's addictive, especially when you branch out into "designing" everyone you know, because who wouldn't want to receive a supermodel cartoon version of themselves stamped on a mug? (That's a rhetorical question, because the answer is no one!)

bestie/partner-in-crime :: engaged cousin/fellow blogger + her fiancee :: old friend/new mama

:: a moving announcement that I nicely pushed onto my friend ::

:: c'est moi! and penny ::

Some of the gifts that I've given include a coin bank for a wedding "fund," luggage tags to celebrate a new address, a memo notepad, and mugs for my parents' house that feature each one of the family members, all complete with the little accessories that personalize it even more. You can add freckles, for pete's sake! The possibilities are endless, and it will overtake your lunch hour.. and beyond.