The Perfect Gift

Sometimes I dread buying people gifts because I try really hard to find something that they would like. I am pretty good at remembering random things people say that they want, so sometimes I am lucky and can find just that. But other times I am left searching tons of stores for a month. I literally looked for a particular "just because" gift for 2 months. Something about giving a person a gift they love gives me so much joy.

But sometimes the greatest gift is a perfect moment, one that you makes you smile from ear to ear. My latest simple, but perfect moments:
-Laying on your shoulder on Sunday evening helping you with your Sudoku,
-You re-enacting my favorite scene from Superbad,
-When people in your network group say, "I've heard so much about his wife, so glad to finally meet you"

These are the moments that I hope I will remember when I am old and gray, especially the Superbad one. It makes me fall in love with you a little more each time.

Life gets busy and we sometimes forget to give ourselves a gift every now and then. It doesn't have to be something material, but remember to take time for yourself and do something you love. I took some time out to take photos of our little cousin, a little something for his mom, but also for me. Capturing his innocence.


**The first picture looks a little grainy, I may have to update it tonight with the actual file.

The Short of it

These past few days have been extremely hot in the Texas heat with "feel like" temperatures of 100+. I normally take the bus to work and waiting for it in this heat is horrible. Not to mention I am normally in black slacks and a blouse. Currently at my stop there is no cover, but it does have a little bit of shade, which gets taken up by the older people who get out there early.

This heat is making my hair hideous. I have to admit, I am a sweat-er. I don't sweat profusely, but it is enough to make my bangs look hideous. I actually really like my bangs, but its not cutting it in this heat. So, I've been thinking about chopping my hair off. Rewind the clock to a December 2007, I had short hair.

I started growing my hair out not too long after this picture was taken because we got engaged and I wanted long hair for the wedding. Here are a few styles that I have been looking at, but some of them have bangs which is part of my problem now :(

Agness Deyn

Katie Holmes

Charlize Theron

Do you think I should go ahead and chop it off? Which of these do you think would work for me? Or, is there any other cute you have seen? Or should I just keep my long hair?

Working It

I found these photos of a work outfit that I took months ago but never had the opportunity to post it. The dress code at work is business casual, but sometimes you wouldn't think so with some of the stuff people wear into work. Even though it is Jeans Friday, you shouldn't wear cropped jeans with tennis shoes to work. Anyway here I am in my office hoping no one comes by.

Top: BCBG, Skirt: Express, Belt: Forever 21, Shoes: Aldo

I tend to wear this skirt alot because it is a great basic black skirt. I have a few basic items that I really love and have worn them out. For example a pair of flip flops from Target. I know it is nothing special, but it was the perfect shade of pewter that went with everything! It wasn't one of those foam flip flops, but one of the nicer ones?

Now when I buy a basic item that I love, I buy two of them. I always thought why would I need two of the same thing? Well, now I see it is worth it to spend the extra money for another one if it is something you use all the time and can wear out. That's why I bought two of the burnout tees from Express that I wore in this post. One in white and the other in grey.

Do you buy basic items you love in multiples?

My Little Girl

People used to say that my father and I looked alike when I was younger. That may be true, but what means the most to me is that these days, people say that our personalities are alike. He has such a big heart and is so passionate about what he believes in, even if it means risking his life. He knows just the right words to say to make me feel better and when to not say anything and just give me a hug.

It was a bumpy road for our family, but as you grow older you realize that your parents are human and they make mistakes too. All that matters is that in the end they are still there for you and still love you even after the stupid mistakes you make. He always told me how proud he was of me when I won those math trophies, graduated high school early, graduated college with honors, got my first real job, moved from crappy job to crappy job to great job, and right before he walked me down the aisle.

Note: Sorry for the not so great picture quality. I haven't picked all the photos I want to receive on CD from my wedding, yes I know that was over three months ago. Please do not stone me.

"You're beautiful baby from the outside in.
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world. But to me you know you'll always be,
My little girl."
-Tim McGraw

Feeling Green

Before our trip to Mexico, I was looking for a few dresses I could wear walking around town and possibly to dinner. I think dresses that can be worn casually and a little bit more dressed up at night are key for beachy vacations. I headed over to Old Navy to see if I could find some cute flip flops and was excited to see that they were having a sale on all dresses and skirts for $15.

I love wearing bright colors especially during the summer. So I picked up the cute green halter dress with a ruffle trim. For walking through town I wore it with simple beaded flip flops and for dinner I wore them with nude wedges. The best thing about the dress were the pockets which I forgot to show off.

Here are two other green pieces that I want to buy:

Skirt from Urban Outfitters

Shirt from Gap

I love wearing bright colors during the summer. What are your favorite colors to wear besides black and white?

Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso

After the wedding in Playa del Carmen, we decided to switch hotels to an all inclusive resort that was rated with 5 stars. Upon your arrival you get a cool towel and a fruity drink or champagne. I guess there are still lots of people afraid to go to Mexico and that's why the resort was only at 30% capacity when normally during this time of year they are at 80%.

After the bellboy shows you to your room, and you have about 5 minutes to look around your suite (all the rooms are suites), your butler comes to show you how to use the room. Yes, it is necessary because the room's A/C and lights run on a motion sensor. He also shows you the minibar which can be costumized to whatever you want, including VSOP courvoisier. And if you guys are serious drinkers, you can order the whole bottle to your room. I am not talking about just the mini bottles, but the bottles you see behind the bar.

Here was our room:

Some of you may be wondering why I included pictures of the bathroom. Well, to me the bathroom is just as important as the sleeping area. I always judge a hotel by its bathroom as well. If I am not impressed with it, I will move on.

There was everything you could ever need at this resort. They had 4 a la carte restaurants, including a surf and turf, and 2 buffets. There are other Iberostar hotels on the grounds you can go it at as well, but the Grand Hotel is the top of the line so we just ate there. The food was good, but it was not to die for. Don't get me wrong it was 10 times better than any other all inclusive hotel I've been to, but I was not wowed. I was wowed that lobster was included without an extra charge.

Of course there are day time activities for you to partake in like beach volleyball (which I felt like throwing up after we played, probably from all the dos equis I already drank), spanish lessions, and salsa lessons. You also get 60 minutes of non motorized water sports like kayaking, sailing, and snorkling included. There are also night time shows that were pretty interesting, especially at the rock show with the guy in pleather pants and spray tanned abs but somehow still had a muffin top? hahaa.

I will end with this picture I took from the balcony of the surf and turf restaurant. Here you can see the infinity pool and Playa Paraiso. When I got home and uploaded the picture I realized this is the same picture they have on their website (found here). I may be biased, but my image shows the hotel off better! And my image is straight from the camera, no editing. Hotels.com, Travelocity, or any other hotel website, if you would like to hire me to take pictures of your hotels around the world and review them I would be glad to :)

When in Mexico

...do as the Mexicans do. Dos Equis, Corona, and Modelo all week long! We spent time deep sea fishing, visited Xel-ha, attended a friend's wedding, kayaking, and hung out by the pool.

Anthropologie dress

Coverup: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Target

There wasn't anything special about my outfits in Mexico, it pretty much consisted of sundresses and shorts. I do have a few items from my trip I will post later along with a review of our second hotel: Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso.

I am not a person who normally makes it a point to tan, but I am really liking the tan on me right now. Do you like yourself tan or your natural skin color?

The Real World

No, I'm not talking about the MTV show. My week long vacation has come to an end and here I am catching up on my 100+ work emails. The vacation was worth it though. I took lots of pictures that took forever to upload that I can share with you in the next few days. Right now I wanted to talk about bathing suits.

I bought this bathing suit from Forever 21 because I wanted something more playful than my basic black and basic white bikinis I love.

The bikini is cute, but really is only for looks. Please do not wear this to do any activities. I was wearing this in the pool and was close to a wardrobe malfunction. Suprisingly my bandeau top bikini held up while playing some beach volleyball. I was really scared of the girls popping out on that one.

What bikini style do you like best and have found that works for your body type?

I will leave you with this picture.

Adios Amigas

I am getting ready to leave for Playa del Carmen. Hubs has left me to pack for the both of us again. I swear I have no idea what he would do without me sometimes. Just this week he told me he had no idea where his passport was or even if it had expired. I just went along with it, but really knew where it was. The last time we used our passports were in 2006 and he had no idea where it was for the past 3 years? Even after moving? MEN!

I thought I would leave you with some beautiful images of the beach because I love them and well I'm already dreaming of me laying out there.

The Image is Found

Aaron Delesie

Enpointe Photography

I always save the best for last. Pink Posh Photography

Where is the best beach you have ever been to?

I will be gone through next Wednesday and plan on coming back with lots of photos!

Currently Listening: Soft Shock - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

A Walk in the Park

We had some great weather this past week and since Hubs was working on a last minute job I decided to see if the girls (hubs younger cousins) wanted to go to the park and hang out. It was such a nice day I decided to take my camera with me to snap some shots.

I forgot how much fun I have taking pictures. All of my hobbies were put on the back burner when I was planning the wedding, but now that it is over and I had a few months to be absolutely lazy, I am starting to take pictures and read again.

Shorts & Necklace: Forever 21, Tee: Express, Flats: Aeropostle

I am so in love with this necklace. It makes such a plain outfit interesting. Forever 21 has really stepped up their game in the accessory department. No longer are the days of only plastic jewelry in neon colors. I'm also loving the basic burout tee because it is soo soft and v-neck. I bought the same one in gray (there goes the gray again).

Later that night we went to a friend's house for a Memorial Day BBQ andd he asked me if my shirt was see-through and before I could answer he then changed his mind and thought it was painted nude underneath. Once I told him that the nude was not painted on and that it was my actual skin (gasp!) he said that if he were Hubs he would have told me to change. I just laughed it off, but really you can't see anything because 1.) its not that sheer and 2.) its loose fitting so its not like you see everything. Either Hubs didn't notice or he just didn't care. I think its the latter because I have worn this tee on several times.

Does your husband/fiance/boyfriend ever tell you what to/not to wear?