MTC Video Clip

My friend Kimberly Walton was in this video about the MTC, the Missionary Training Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Provo, Utah, it's a place where young men and young women go to prepare to serve missions that last between 18 to 24 months. It's pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

Dear Banana Republic,

Your outfits are lovely. Can I please have them all?

Sincerely,
Alexis

Octopus Obsession

I had realized today that I very much like the octopus. This realization came from this amazing light fixture that my friend showed me. I should probably own it someday.

Speaking of home decor, Anthropologie has fabulous wallpaper featuring my favorite sea creature.

I even painted a bowl for my friend with an octopus on it!

And it almost (but not quite!) goes without saying...a song by the Beatles that I greatly enjoy is about an octopus.

It's official. I'm obsessed. Octopus obsessed.

Isn't it perfect?

Remember when I was on that rhino kick? Well, it's been a while and I've been more like a lazy, grazing cow than a charging rhinoceros. This little guy reminded me to BE A RHINO!

I need an internship this summer (preferably in New York) and getting the guts to call design firms (specifically this one) has been, well, hard. This week will be different. I will be a rhino! I'm going to be brave and call and show people how awesome I am and make them want to hire me!

And I have my inspiration to charge at what I want: a wooden toy rhino (well, I don't actually own it, but I'm very tempted to purchase it...my birthday is coming at the end of this week).

What's your inspiration to do something that's not very easy for you? A little wooden toy? A quote? A person?

The Fruits of Domesticity

At last! The post you've been waiting for...the heart cake!
As you can see, it doesn't really look like a heart. It looks more like lips, which still worked for the Valentine's Day tea party I had with some friends.
It was at my friend Laura's apartment and they have a wall of prancing ponies. It was the perfect backdrop to our party. We had way too many delicious treats (cake and cupcakes and cookies and scones and chocolates and cucumber sandwiches). I drank tea that I actually liked for the first time. Bengal Spice. Try it!

I guess making that cake wasn't enough because I made macaroons a few days later.
They didn't turn out great. Actually out of all of them, there was only one decent one.
I made them for a bridal shower that had these really cool decorations. They used old books and cute paper. It reminded me of something you'd see hanging in Anthropologie.
The bridal shower was for my lovely friends in the interior design program, Angela and Ashley, who each got engaged a few weeks ago. Congrats ladies!
Can I just say that my hair looks pretty cool and red in this picture? :)

Help!

Dear valued readers,

Some good friends of mine once said, "Help! I need somebody!" and that exclamation is quite appropriate to my situation. I could use some help.

The living room in my apartment has just been rearranged (it looks pretty nice if I do say so myself), but it is in desperate need of some decorating help. So I come to you for some suggestions and ideas. What should my roommates and I do to make it awesome?

Keep in mind, we basically have $0 to spend. :)

It's been a busy week...

Mostly crazy and surprisingly not a lot of homework, somehow an unscheduled, relaxing week has turned into a crazy, over-scheduled sprint to the weekend. But I've managed to squeeze in some fun. What I've been up to:

Reading this...about me!

Trying to do this side pony tail.Arranging this...
...in my room. (Elise, this one's for you!)

Wanting this.

Making the heart cake! Finally!
With my friend Amy. I have yet to cut it open to see if it worked. Pictures will follow...

Looking at bridesmaid dresses and wedding invitations because my sister Eliza is engaged! Congratulations Liza and Shenli!
Since weddings are on the brain... how about a dress like this? (they're so cool!) Or invites by this amazing graphic designer. Someday...

What have you been up to this week? Any fun plans for this weekend? For Valentine's Day?

I guess I'm feeling domestic...

I have to make this. Today. I'll let you know how it goes.

Recent Loves

Parisian Macaroons. I'm going to try to make them for a tea party. Here's the recipe if you want to try them too!

Crystal starfish necklace to remind me of warmer days.

The Gamble House in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Antique Rookwood Pottery bookends. I can dream, can't I?


Messy buns. I have yet to try actually one. But if I do, I'm following these directions.

What are some recent discoveries that you've fallen in love with? How appropriate since Valentine's Day is coming...