Friday Favorites

So, this is late, but it's still technically Friday so I'm still going to post this.

The Chickeneers

Youtube

Watch this.  Now. It's worth it, trust me.  I actually cried a little from laughing so hard.  Jimmy Fallon, Nick Offerman, and Blake Shelton are my new heroes.

Mad Men

The fifth season of Mad Men began streaming on Netflix this week and I have been all over it.  So far, this season has been full of punchy one liners, scheming characters, and a hell of a lot of smoking.  I find it hard to believe that life in the sixties was so full of adultery and deceit, but I find this show fascinating nonetheless.

Rikka Ayasaki

Via Saatchi 

While browsing Pinterest, I happened across the work of this artist and was immediately drawn to it.  I searched further and found many more works by Rikka Ayasaki that I love.  I'm not an art aficionado by any means, but her work is so beautiful to me.  Hopefully I can have one of her beautiful pieces of my own someday.

Happy Easter weekend everyone!

Fight For The Right

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that over the last couple of days the Supreme Court heard oral argument on two potentially groundbreaking cases on marriage equality.  Although the written decision of the court is months away, the awareness of the issues and support for equality over the last few days has been overwhelming.

Being in DC, I decided to head over to the Supreme Court yesterday to check out the ongoing demonstrations.  I wished I could have watched some of the oral argument, but I knew that wouldn't happen when I heard that people had started lining up last weekend to secure their spot.  

The crowd of supporters and opponents was much lighter than the day before (at least when you look at these photos), but there was still a decent crowd of observers.

And, then there was this guy standing off to the side.  Not sure why he didn't want to stand with the others, but he was making his position known.

There are a lot of potentially positive things to come out of these cases, but my favorite so far was Justice Ginsberg's comparison of a state only recognized marriage to skim milk.  She's always been my favorite Justice, but this awesome metaphor made me respect her even more.  Whole milk ftw!

Illustration from Slate by Natalie Matthews-Ramo

What are your thoughts on the skim milk / whole milk marriage debate?

Mumford & Sons Live

Over a month ago one of my favorite people on this Earth came to visit to see one of our favorite bands on this Earth, Mumford & Sons.  I counted down the days until the show for months and I was so excited when it finally rolled around in mid-February (yes, this post is long overdue).  Although I'm not quite the concert aficionado I once was, this was still one of the best shows I've ever been to and I'm excited to relive it.

This post is going to be photo laden because I made sure to take a picture of every single song the group performed (although I refused to use my flash, so they're not the greatest photos).

Excited for the show to start-I think the camera was set to pick up only the blue

This show was at a nearby university, so the crowd was big, but not overwhelming.  We had general admission tickets, which meant we stood for the duration of the show.  Although my old lady back and feet weren't overly pleased with this, it allowed us to be just a few meters from the greatness happening on stage.

Friday Favorites

I've been kind of down this week.  It's been cold, I've been bored, and it doesn't look like either of those things are going to change any time soon.  When I feel down I try to find things that make me smile.  So, this post is going to be filled with things that have made me smile over the last week. 

After Ever After

By Paint 

 This video made my week.  Not only is this guy a seriously talented singer, but this song is hilarious.  Plus, his facial expressions are perfection.

Parks and Rec Playing Cards

 

Andrea Austoni

OMG, have you ever seen anything more awesome?!  Parks and Rec is one of my favorite shows on television and these playing cards perfectly represent the hilarious characters in this show.  Plus, Lil' Sebastian has his own card.  And it's adorable.  I really want my own set, but it looks like it was personal project of the artist. 

That's all the favorites I can muster this week, it's that bad y'all.  Anyone else having a down week and want to commiserate or want to share something to make me smile?

Happy Spring!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year--the vernal equinox (also known as the first day of spring) in the northern hemisphere. 

Tulips-the epitome of spring

Spring is my favorite season; everything is blooming and transforming the dull, gray winter landscape to a colorful, sunny haven.  The days are finally getting longer and the temperatures are becoming less frigid (although this year seems like winter is hanging on for dear life, screw you, weather).  Most importantly, everything is green again!  No more of this gray/brown bullshit that we have had to endure for what seems like ages.  Green is back and it. is. glorious.

Around DC, the mall and metro stations are filled with tourists trying to get a glance at the elusive cherry blossoms that surround the tidal basin at the Jefferson memorial.  And, as a cruel twist of fate, they will peak at the most inopportune time, blossoming just long enough to wreck havoc on those poor folks with allergies. 

Spring also brings about my birthday, which hasn't been nearly as fun as it was when I was younger, but is still one of my favorite days of the year.  There's nothing like cake and Facebook messages to make someone feel loved, am I right?

So, happy spring to all!  May the temperature begin reflecting the change in seasons soon!

Do you love spring as much as I do?  Are you calling for Punxsutawney Phil's execution for his inaccurate weather forecasting?

Friday Favorites: Saint Patrick's Day Edition

I think Saint Patrick's Day is one of the greatest holidays ever.  Everyone wears green and imbibes entirely too much beer.  It's like the drunken herald of spring.  In honor of this fantastic holiday, I'm dedicating this post to all things green to ensure you won't get pinched by some annoying frat boy this weekend.

Messenger Bag

Gap-$178.95

I seriously want this bag.  No, I need this bag (to go on sale).  Can you believe I don't own a green bag?  Crazy talk I tell you, crazy talk.

Mad Men Top

Banana Republic-$69.50

Banana Republic is welcoming back another season of Mad Men by introducing a line of sixties inspired clothing and accessories.  I couldn't help falling in love with several pieces, including this perfect green sweater.

Essie's Nail Polish

Essie-Pretty Edgy

Am I the only person who have never tried Essie nail polish?  I feel like it based on the pins I see.  If I were to try Essie, I would definitely try this beautiful emerald color.

Green Pants

Old Navy-$29.94

These pants look so cute and comfy, I just want to crawl into them all weekend.

Green Flats

Nine West Widgeon via Zappos

Aren't these adorable?!  Sadly, I cannot buy them because I already own a pair of green patent leather ballet flats and my husband insists that I do not need more than one pair (false. I need them ALL).

Green Blazer

Olivia Moon Linen Jacket from Nordstrom-$79

Besides looking as though you've just won the Master's Tournament, I really love this green blazer.  Even though I am not much of a casual blazer wearer, this jacket would add such a nice pop of color and sophistication to casual weekend outfits.  And, as a bonus, it totally reminds me of a leprechaun.

What will you be wearing for the holiday?  Have a safe and happy Saint Paddy's Day everyone!

It's official...

...I am no longer a resident if Illinois. This should not really be that groundbreaking since I haven't actually lived in Illinois for quite some time, but I got something recently made this a reality--my new driver's license.

There were a lot of reasons I waited so long to get my new license, including pure laziness.  But, the main reason I waited so long is because I didn't want to give up my Illinois license. Well, I didn't want to give up the picture on my Illinois license.

The last time I had my license picture taken in Illinois I had just turned 21. As in, I had just turned 21 at midnight the night before.  I was slightly hung over from my escapades the night before, but that didn't stop me from getting up bright at early the day of my twenty first birthday to get to the DMV for my new license.

The picture of exuberance and youth.  The 'void' punch seems apropos, no?

 By some stroke of twenty first birthday magic, the picture turned out awesome.  I'm aware that sounds incredibly vain, but I think we can all appreciate the importance of a good looking driver's license picture.  You have to whip that thing out all the time; to buy wine, get into bars, to buy more wine, you get my point.

So, you can see why I was hesitant to give up such a decent (and sentimental) picture.  When I couldn't avoid the need for a new license any longer, I dreaded how my picture would turn out.

It turns out, my fears were well founded.  I got my new license and that picture is bad.  I'm not going to put it on here for various reasons, but trust me, it's not good.  Not only is the picture in black and white (making my makeup application that morning for naught), but I wasn't allowed to smile.  It looks like a mug shot (except the accused can smile in their mug shots if they wish).  My husband laughed for a good ten minutes after seeing my new license.  And, unless we move to another state, I'm stuck with this picture for eight long years.

Has anyone else kept license out of vanity?

Friday Favorites

This week has been somewhat strange.  With a snow day on Wednesday, the week felt simultaneously longer and shorter.  Somehow, I've successfully managed to make it to the end of another week, so I'm going to sit back, sip on some wine, and enjoy a few of my new favorite things.

The Best T-Shirt Ever

Skreened

I need this shirt in my life.  Harry Potter + Mean Girls  = Perfection.

Goat Cheese Cheesecake

Boy & The Rabbit

Some of my co-workers had goat cheese cheesecake from a food truck at lunch, and raved about it.  Although I didn't have any, I want need to try this concoction as soon as humanly possible.  I just need to find someone to help me eat it!

Grimm

George Spigot

Who else is excited that new episodes of Grimm are back tonight?  This is definitely one of our favorite shows and it feels like it has been forever since there were new episodes (I'm a little impatient too), so I'm super excited that it's finally back.  It looks as if things are about to get heated with some of the characters, and I'm hoping it will bring out some badassery from the main character, Nick, and his witty sidekick Monroe.

Ponies Wearing Sweaters

Photographs by Rob McDougall/VisitScotland via PetaPixel

Aaaaaand I've found another adorable reason why I need to visit Scotland asap.  Also, I want one!

What do you love this week?  Who else loves pop culture mash ups as much as I do?

Snow Day!

A giant winter storm system is upon us here in the DC area, which has pretty much shut down the entire city.  My office, along with the vast majority of others in the area, are closed for the day (at least), resulting in my very first snow day in this area!

WJLA - Our projected snowfall

Although this amount of snow would rarely cause a snow day where I am from (especially when you consider that most of the snow is melting as it falls on the roads), I am relishing today by reverting back to the habits of my unemployed days.

View from our place

 

I am going to spend my day watching something on Netflix, reading, sipping hot chocolate, and wondering how my empty day goes by so quickly.

 

Some big flakes from this morning

 

What do you do on snow days?