Austin

I recently went to Austin for SXSW. Let me tell you all that it was so much fun. There was so much to do that I wish we would have been there for more days. I got to see some really cool bands. I think my favorite part of the trip was going to Congress St. and having myself a Margarita. It felt really nice to just kick back and relax.

I really want to plan a big vacation soon. This time Daniel and I will bring the kiddo. We are thinking of a fun place to go to. I guess we'll see where we end up.

Pop That Sucker!

Santa Monica, CA 2012

I grew up in an area, as most, where people are very family-oriented, deep-rooted and - more than anything - comfortable. For most of my youth, I wanted to go somewhere; Montana: quiet, large, open. After a while, I saw more in Europe, and even neighboring states. Everything interested me, and the history of some cities/countries are beyond me. I love history. Growing up in this neighborhood, it was inevitable to most of us that traveling anywhere was nowhere near possible. Whether it was the money or time, it was just something that wasn't the norm. Or to some people I knew, it was the fear of leaving a place that brings comfort and security.

In my school books I found places that had beautiful history, structures, art, shores, food, and much more. I took my first French class in high school and I loved it. I wanted to go somewhere with that, someday.

After high school is when those seemingly impossible travels were made possible. My first major trip was to Miami Beach, Florida; it was also my first time on a plane (yeowza!). It was fantastic! Beaches? Check! Food? Check! A great experience?? Double check! It was only for a few days but we did so much, even better was that it was all expenses paid!

Since then, I have been to many, many places on a plane or in a vehicle. San Luis Potosi, Mexico?! Done! Memphis?! Done! Vegas?! Done!! SoCal x3?! Done!! Even in this great state of Texas, there have been many-a-travels to its major cities and small towns. I love this state!!

I never thought I would have visited so many places in my life already, but I have and I will continue to do so. I love to travel! I love to "do as the Romans do!" I love to see new places, new people, and new scenes. The world is bigger than just your neighborhood, your comfort zone. The world is out there, waiting to be seen and experienced. Don’t live in a bubble! Pop that sucker and see what else is out there! You’ll be amazed!

come fly with me...

DIY: Coffee & Sugar canister

I recently joined the world of Pinterest, you can find me here, and I fell in love! I saw this post and decided to try my hand at it! It was really easy to do and my counter tops have never looked so pretty! I even created a tutorial on youtube to show you just how easy it is!

What you'll need:

• Round plates (bases)
• candle stick
• glass jar
• cabinet knobs
• hot glue gun
• glue sticks
• paint

I got all of it except the paint at Michaels, the paint I bought at Home Depot but we had this lying around the apartment, gotta love the fella being an artist. Take a peek at Pinterest and pique your interests!

What's Your Love Language?

Ever gotten into one of those drawn out arguments with your boyfriend that left you confused and questioning their sanity? Ugh, haven't we all? It's not because he's crazy. It's not because you're crazy. It's because y'all aren't speaking each other's love language.

Everyone interprets love in different ways. Certain actions make one feel more loved than others. Do you like going anywhere with your boo, even just to the grocery store? Your love language is probably quality time. Do you feel bothered when your boyfriend doesn't greet you with a hug and a kiss? Then your love language is likely physical touch. For the judgmental and simple-minded, this may sound needy. Let's put the cynical and bitter thoughts away. If you're coming from a place of love and understanding, learning to communicate your needs and compromise is the master key to your relationship. It can prevent feelings of neglect, as well as help you make your boo feel loved and happy, which makes you happy. Everybody wins!

So what are the five love languages? And what can you do to make the other feel loved and acknowledged?

Physical Touch - Not just about sex. Hugs, holding hands, and kisses show affection, care, and excitement.

Words of Affirmation - Saying "I love you" goes a long way. Compliments about appearance or talents are good, too. Heart-to-hearts about how good your relationship is going can also make the other person feel valued.

Acts of Service - Make dinner, help out with a presentation, change a tire. Show your partner you want to take care of them and help out with responsibilities/burdens.

Quality Time - Commit to a weekly date night. Think of new ways to spend time together and make reservations! At the end of the day, make time for uninterrupted talking. It's all about listening and being present.

Receiving Gifts - When you're out of town, buy them a souvenir. Surprise them with flowers or a random gadget. Celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays. It doesn't have to be over-the-top or expensive; it's really the thought and effort that counts.

Now discover your love language! Take the quick assessment here! I encourage you to ask your partner to do the same. If you don't have a boo, you can take the Singles version and have a cocktail night with your girlfriends and talk about everyone's results!

My primary love language is quality time. When I don't spend time with the people I love - friends and family included - I feel out of sorts! Once I get that quality time, I feel refreshed and confident! What's your love language? Any dumb/funny fights that came from misunderstandings? Do you think this is a crock of self-help crap or useful information? I love talking about relationships! I'd love to hear!

Lessons My Dad Taught Me

Self-respect!

Now don’t get me twisted; I am not by any means saying that I am Miss Perfection when it comes to this lecture, but I do aim for that title: having self-respect. Because if you don’t find it within yourself then who will? Throughout my life, I have done pretty stupid things that I can look back on and think Wow, now that was not classy... and remember my dad’s words. My dad knew that one of his roles in life was to teach his little girl to respect herself enough so that future men would not even attempt to disrespect her. That is why my dad never let me go out looking like a hot mess. It’s a big, huge difference on having “fashion” or just plainly looking like a Harry Hines girl. And if you still don’t get it… that means looking like a two-cent hooker. It aint cute!

My dear sweethearts, I completely understand the desire to have attention drawn to ourselves. Hell, I was the girl that wore toe socks in high school and ran around the halls screaming, just to have someone look my direction, but….. I have come to find out that we all carry a sense of beauty that we must channel and it shall bring out our shine... and that’s without having to wear that tight-ass dress that [come on now] does NOT fit.

Leave things to the imagination and don’t just put it out there for every man, woman, and child to gawk at. Trust me when I say this: 95% of the damn time that man, woman, and child is thinking, “she looks like a slut” or “that does not fit” or “she really thinks it's cute” or “I wonder how much I must pay.” We can look amazing with just the right amount of skin showing. It is possible!!! But having your boobs and ass popping out all the time just screams “damn it, y'all just look at me already!” Plus, I must add in, if you have not been given the volume to fit it then don’t wear it! Just because they are booty shorts does not mean they give you booty, it just makes it more obvious that you lack it. Just saying.

We are beautiful! We shine without the clothes and glamour. Our character and personality is our key! Not the ass and boobs! Leave it for Halloween or a private time between you and your boo. But don’t welcome the whole world into your bedroom by walking out and having the world to see. We can “work it” without showing it out. If you were blessed with some beautiful boobs then wear a good support bra that will give you coverage and the girls will still scream out “hi!” without having to show them off with a super low cut shirt. The backside can also be embraced by wearing a fitted skirt or some nice skinny jeans that will bring out the curves without having the cheeks come out to cheapen the outfit. And if you have neither, then girl work your beautiful face! Honestly our face is what we should always emphasize on! That’s what they should stare at and see first, if they don’t then its time we talk about what momma has taught them!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T (find out what it means to you)

Love me some Etta James

Thanks Daddy! Love you

We're all friends at school!

I don't know how many times I say this during the day! We're all friends at school! Children have to be constantly reminded of how to be a friend. It got me thinking of adults and how many times we have to be reminded of how to be a friend.

I'm the type of person that its easy for me to make friends, but it wasn't always like that. It took me years to come out of my shell. At first I was shy and couldn't make friends. Then when I had my group of friends I honestly thought I didn't need any more friends. I had my few great friends and that was it. I knowingly closed myself off from people. It's completely different now I love meeting new people and having lots of friends!

Sometimes, however, the old me will revert back and I have to remind myself we're all friends and how to be a good friend! I myself have to remember to keep in touch, to call occasionally just to see how my friends day is doing. To extend a helping hand if a friend needs it. To invite friends over for cocktails and laughs. Take a moment to evaluate your friendships, do you need to come out of your shell more? Not only to make friends but to be a good friend.

The Old Me

As a child in school, we were often asked at the beginning of the school year to describe ourselves. One word that would more than often come up was “shy.” Shy Sylvia. It stuck around for most of my life, high school and even in the early years of college: Je suis timide (French class).

A few years ago I was given the opportunity - several times - to come out of my shell and show the world what’s inside, but I was still too timide. I have a friend whom I've had for a few years now that finally broke me out of that shell. This summer was that moment. I don’t know what came through me... maybe it was a change that was needed at a chance that was there to take. I grabbed it by the horns. Although I don’t remember what kicked it off, I do remember the moments thereafter.

I was never one to get up and get jiggy with it (yeah, I said it); I would be the one holding the wall up, or keeping the seat warm, drink in hand and shuffling my feet down below. I felt the music inside me, but that energy was too concerned about opinion showing itself. I didn’t like that feeling: caring what others thought of my sassy dance moves. I wanted to dance and that was that.

So it happened. One night, while out celebrating my freedom, liberation - whatever the reason - with my good friend Linda, I started dancing: feet, body, arms and ALL! There I was, Shy Sylvia, NO MORE! I loved it! Another sense of freedom rushed through me - I knew this feeling before, and I know it again now. It was great; I felt accomplished, energized, satisfied. I wanted more of it! We were at a place where people danced whatever their body felt; no matter how funny or awkward or “stupid” they looked, they were letting it happen. Seeing that definitely helped in getting those sassy moves onto the dance floor. Let’s dance!

Trying some shoes on for my next outing. Nice!

Linda and I at the Dave Nada show.

Don’t let anything or anyone keep you from doing what you want. If you like it, you like it; if you love it, you love it, and that’s that! Whether it be dancing in public (like me) or accomplishing some other task, get it done and get it done now. Life is what we make of it, so make it happen. Take the bull by the horns, ride 'til you die…‘til the wheels fall off. Cheers to life!

Linda's Gift Guide: Boyfriend/Husband/Brother Edition

It feels like everyone has gotten into the Christmas spirit early this year (sooner than usual, if that's possible), and their excitement is contagious! I'm festive! I can't wait to wrap presents for my loved ones, choose the perfect Secret Santa gifts, laugh my butt off during White Elephant exchanges, and see everyone's face light up when they uncover the mystery in a box!

This year the spirit has got me and I have tons of gift ideas. I wanna share them with you! I'm going to do a weekly gift guide on what to put under the tree for your nearest and dearest.

First up: Boyfriends/Husbands/Brothers

This J. Crew chambray tie is a little pricey at $83, but I'm a J. Crew groupie, so deal. I'm sure it would be easy to find an alternative at a cheaper price.

Williams Sonoma has Star Wars cooking everything! I love the Star Wars Spatula Set and Pancake Molds. I also found this here Star Wars toaster. What dude doesn't like Star Wars? Cooking has never been so fun. $10-$30

Blu-ray DVDs. Yeah, so impersonal, right? But you know that little PS3 they bought? They like to play with that shit. They want every chance to say things like "picture quality" or "1080p" and other terms that I don't care about. Blu-rays are that chance. And you know what? Half Price Books has them [in-store] for about $10. I suggest something like I Saw the Devil.

The Moment Watch in Gun Metal (Mesh) by Flud. Just because it's sleek. $80

Guys really like knives. Nobody really knows what they do with them, but it's a rite of passage. Maybe he'll let you hold it. $25

A cool Paris print. $19

Or maybe a Thom Yorke print. They even got the wonk-eye correct. $20

 

Telescope!!!!! You never walk into a dude's place, see a telescope, and cringe. NO! You stick your head in the eyepiece and say, "You're a bad-ass and I want to have your scientist children!" $35

This solid wood iPhone dock amplifies music naturally, so that means no cords! For a person that hates cords, I love this. Downside: they're no longer able to ship holiday orders. But! They'll send you a card to give to your loved one on Christmas so they know it's on its way! Mini and iPad versions also available. $70-$90   

Such a simple yet dope Batman money clip. $40

Sometimes knick-knacks are acceptable. Such is the case with Cubebot. $35

And there's no reason to break the bank, either. Put some time, effort, and lovin' into your gifts. 

DIY suggestions:

• Make him a crochet bow tie. (I would be highly jealous if you did this.)
• You can create a 2012 calendar along with a corresponding mixtape (one song for each month).  Maybe for August, your anniversary month, you can decorate your calendar with a picture of when you first started dating and include the song you first made out to on your mixtape. For a fancy effect, you can get your calendar bound at any office supply store. And don't forget to circle important days on the calendar! He'll have no excuse for missing special days!
• But if he still manages to miss a special day, you'll forgive him with this Get Out of Jail Free card. You can give him one to use during a fight. Fine print optional.

• Pretty neat DIY leather journal cover.

• A pencil/paintbrush/marker holder for the artist. 

My dog drives me crazy!

I have a black pug who is absolutely insane! His name is Charlie, and he loves to bark at planes or anything that walks by. It gets annoying when you have a sleeping baby in the next room. You would think that pugs wouldn't bark as much as a Chihuahua or a Pomeranian, but they do. He loves to whine...yes, I said whine. He does that little puppy cry whenever he wants something. Most of the time he does it when he wants to go outside. He likes to sniff peoples armpits. Don't ask me why he just does. He likes to follow me around. Where ever I go Charlie is right behind me. Sometimes I wish I would have gotten that adorable little white dog instead of this crazy pug. At the end of the day I still love my crazy, weird, annoying dog.

This is Charlie my crazy dog! Don't be fooled - he is seriously insane!

Standing Only Dress

Recently I wore a skirt that was what I refer to as "standing only". A "standing only" can be a skirt, dress, top, or pants. It's anything that you can't really sit down in, either because it will ride up (in my situation) or because it's too tight. Victoria Beckham once wore a dress that she had to stand in all day, too. It was a beautiful Roberto Cavalli dress modeled after a Chinese Ming vase.

Victoria in a standing only Roberto Cavalli dress

Victoria Beckham asked Roberto Cavalli to model the dress just like the vase and take the bottom in so much that she had to stand the whole time!

It's a great risk to wear one of these, especially since you have to commit to standing the whole time you have it on. This proves very unpractical at times, but us girls (and some guys) will do anything for fashion!

Since I feel I've become quite the pro at this, I've learned a few tricks to get me through the day:

• Don't wear shoes that will hurt more than half an hour
• Don't wear these outfits anywhere you will have to sit down (restaurants, plays, church, work, etc.)
• Perfect places to wear these to are art shows, parties, clubs, some weddings - but only if you're gonna commit to standing through the event
• Wear these outfits with someone who will be there to help you bend down or pick things up that fall
• Don't try to sit, kneel, or hop a fence (I learned the hard way). Recognize your limits and stick to 'em.

And before you start judging and saying this is dumb or superficial, save it! Women are still going to do it so you'll be wasting your breath!