Pinterest Anonymous

Hi. My name is Addie and I'm addicted to Pinterest. It's been two minutes since my last pin. Really though, Pinterest has become such a part of my life, it's in my morning ritual. Wake up, brush teeth, make coffee, look at Pinterest. There are just so many wonderful things out there, literally at our finger tips that we can see and learn. 

Above is a snap of my Pinterest profile, there are 6 more boards that I couldn't fit in the the picture. In total I have 9,508 pins. WHAT? How does that even happen? I'm almost breaking 10,000. Now admittedly I have done one, yes one, DIY project that I found, and have made zero of the recipes... but I do look at the cute puppies quite frequently! In fact studies show that looking at pictures of cute animals helps students do better on exams. Seeing as Final are next week...GIVE ME ALL THE CUTES. That's sure to help my pass business calc, right? 

My other boards are inspired by my favorite movies, clothing items and beauty tricks. I have boards for my favorite people,  my mom, my peak pal, and my boyfriend. Ever since Pinterest introduced the "sending," feature though, I just bombard my mom with pins that way. In fact the two of us pin more to each other then text each other. It's just a cute way to share things we think the other would like. 

Of all the social media apps out there I would have to say that Instagram is my favorite, but Pinterest is my second. I hope to one day have enough free time to do some of the DIY projects and make my love some of the yummy recipes I've found. So now that you've seen mine, I'm curious about other pinner profiles out there. What do you pin the most?  What does you're Pinterest look like?  

Brunching it Up

So, Leland says that I need a hobby. Thus I have decided to commit to this whole blogging thing. Of course when I said that I would be taking a lot more photos of us, Leland wasn't really stoked. Most of the photos I get of him are totally candid, and always unwanted. I think he's cute when he plays guitar or cooks me dinner, and I want photographic evidence that he is so great! Anyways, I'm going to try to be a better blogger, but with final this week and next, and me working two jobs I don't know how committed I can be.
Anyways, we went to brunch on Sunday and it was the best thing, ever. We went to a little local place called Prep & Pastry. I had seen a lot of my fellow Tucson instagramers posting about it and decided to look at the menu online. Let me tell you, just reading about all the yummies they had to offer made my mouth water. So it was decided that as soon as we could, we would go.
The restaurant has only been open since last January, we learned from one of the owners, but it already seems like THE cool place to be. When we pulled up the parking lot was full, but by some miracle I got a spot right by the door, and there was a table for two open right when we walked in.The atmosphere was super laid back and "Pinteresty." They have a wall that is all chalkboard that has cute lettering and phrases on it. "Brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast." TRUTH. The only drawback was that they were quite busy, seeing as it was Sunday morning, and our order was taking a while to be processed. Our waitress quickly remedied this however by giving us a salted caramel, "croughnut," on the house! That, the guava- orange mimosa, and fun conversation about the future helped to pass the time. When the food came we were just completely blown away. I had the monte cristo, and Leland had breakfast poutine. Both dishes were better than anything I could have dreamed, and I now want to use French Toast for all of my sandwiches. When they came to clear our plates the waitress exclaimed, to Leland, "Did you get the Breakfast Poutine?! I've never seen anyone finish that before!" Ah yes, my boyfriend, the human vacuum and anomaly. One Bloody Mary, my first and last, and a breakfast beer later we were too full to speak, and thus is the making of a wonderful brunch. I highly recommend this place to anyone in Tucson, and Leland and I have decided that once we get, "grown up jobs," we will have to become regulars.

Must Be the Season of the Witch

     When the seasons change, so can life. While I've faced a major change this past week, I can honestly say I haven't  been this happy in a long time. I've found a man that I'm absolutely head over heals for, I've found a major in school that I'm excited to move forward with, lots of positives. Even though life doesn't exactly play out the way you think it will, you can't let that get you down.
 
  Anyways, fall fashion is my favorite. Summer and Spring in Tucson are very limited to shorts and tanks while you try to beat the heat. Even though sunny Tucson is still bringing in highs in the upper 80's, I'm still busting out my fall wardrobe. I'm mostly stoked on the fact that popular trends from the 1970's are making a major comeback right now. Knee-socks, clogs, mustard yellow, corduroy, am I right? All the best things.

     Dress by Guess Jeans, Clogs by Free People, Hat and Socks from unknown. 

     Not pictured is me all sweaty and dirt covered pulling the giants weeds out that once occupied my deck. Yard upkeep is intense, and since I have a property manager that checks it 4 times a year I have to stay semi on top of it. If I still lived up in Northern AZ, or Wyoming I would be raking in the yellow and red leaves right now. Alas Tucson is still sprouting weeds and there is nary a leaf in sight except in my Bath and Body Works scented candle. 

All the Small Things

What I've learned in my almost 22 years of age, and in my single serving young adult lifestyle, is that happiness can really be found in the little things. For instance, my brother,Reid, and I used to fight all the time. We never got along when we were younger, probably cause we're only 18 months apart in age, so we were just too close for comfort. However when I was a senior in high school and Reid was a freshman in college he moved out, and by some miracle, we actually missed each other. We have since become very close and get along splendidly! The key to a happy sibling-hood, is to stay away from each other for extended periods of time.
When first I came to Tucson is had been a good while since Reid had been back home, and I was very anxious from moving, and stressed, and sad, but Reid was always there for me. Sure it kind of took a kick in the pants from our dad for Reid to see how much I needed some help, and a familiar face. Hence forth Sibling Day was born. Every Sunday Reid and I hang out. The deal is, I drive us around and he buys us lunch. We don't really do much, Target runs, movie seeing, but we have such a good time together that we can just do whatever and it's always so much fun. As my work schedule is ever changing, we switch up when we hang out, but since Reid is only a full time student, it's easy for us to move the day around.
Today was a particularly awesome Sibling Day.
I'm taking summer courses at the community college in town, so Monday through Thursday I have class from 9-12, and that just so happens to be lunch time,so this is a perfect opportunity for sibling hangs. Anyways, I've noticed on my drives back from the West Side of Tucson that there is some pretty rad street art, and graffiti in the downtown area. It just so happened that today I was really liking my outfit, so Reid and I had a little photo shoot.

A skip, a hop, and a trip to Target later, we were both SUPER hungry, so we went to Beyond Bread. I don't know if they have these other places in the continental U.S. but it's seriously SO good. As I would hope you would deduce, they have sandwiches and salads, things like that. We both got veggie sandwiches, and they were huge, so YAY for leftovers!
After our bellies full of delicious carbs, we didn't really know what to do with ourselves. It's been in the upper 90's to lower 100's down here so anything outside was kind of out of question. I have been on a record buying kick lately, so Reid looked up a record exchange we could go to. Let me tell you, this record store, Zia Records, was soo cool. Not only did they have new and use vinyl, but all these funny little nick-nacks such as doughnut shaped pool floaties, and rap trading cards. That's right, RAP TRADING CARDS.

 So obviously at 50 cents a pack, we bought some. They also had these really cool thing called "grab bags," which was a little bundle with 10 discs in it. Each one had a mixture of CD's, Games, and Movies, and they were only $1.99, so yes, again, obviously we bought one.

This is what was in mine:
1. a CD called LICK...haven't listened yet, but you know, I could be into that.
2. Paul Woodcock Band- Fat White Weirdo in a Cadillac (if anything I like it just for the name)
3.The Mysteries of Life
4. John Mellencamp- Dance Naked
5. Public Enemy
6. The Andes Fire (think inspirational flute)
7. God's Property (most likely will never listen to this one)
8. The Secret Window, nothing like Johnny Depp with adult braces to keep you up at night...
9. Winter's Bone, I've never see this movie but it's got J. Law in it, so I'm sure it's great
10. Falling Down (not pictured), the suspenseful movie about how being stuck in traffic will lead you to              obtain a rocket launcher...
I let Reid keep that last one since he had seen it before and really liked in, and in return I got his DVD of Fantastic Mr. Fox, from the blu-ray combo pack he had previously bought. So we watched Falling Down, and then we were depressed so we went and got cake. After that I went back home, but it was a seriously great day with my big brother. I'm glad I have him down here, and now we shall own all the rap trading cards in the land!

Home

     Over this past week I was able to spend a couple days back in my adolescent hometown of Prescott. This was the first time I had really been back since December and the holiday season. It seemed like a good time just to say hello to the 'rents, and catch up with old friends, since evidently I actually do have "old friends," now.
     What I have most to say about this trip is, that fresh air is seriously underrated. I'm not kidding. When my brother and I got into the city limits, and rolled our windows down, we didn't really know what to do. Our noses were on hyper-drive. Where was the smell of sewage in the air? How come the town didn't have that musky homeless smell that we've become so accustomed to? Oh yeah, cause our little town is not in fact Tucson. So all you spoiled clean air breathers, stop talking that gift for granted!
      Another lesson learned, is that I am now a baby when it comes to the thermostat. Seriously. It was probably around 68 degrees the entire time we were there, and I was freezing. FREEZING. I had to wear a sweater or jacket no matter what, queue relentless parental mocking. So really what I have to thank Tucson for is thinning my blood, and destroying my nasal cavities, but you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my life down in the dirty T, and I wouldn't go back if I could. This little hometown girl has turned into a full blown desert rat, and loving every minute of it!

Anyways, I took some silly pictures, mainly of my dogs, but check them out anyways cause seriously, my dogs a freaking adorable.

According to my dad this is the "welcome bunny"

The house I grew up in 

Charlie and Tooty 

My little Char-boo

Teasing the dogs, like the fart he is.

My artsy way of telling my parents to dust

Springtime in the Desert

     Ah Spring! The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and the sun is scorching. Seriously Tucson is hot, and this is only the beginning, not really sure what I got myself into with this. In any case the subtle breeze passes over the desert blossoms ever so nicely, see above photo. Thus far I really enjoy it here. With the Spring semester coming to a close, I will hopefully have more time to blog, yeah right, I'm taking summer classes...But in any case, I should be able to draw upon more inspiration.
   

     In Tucson, I've found a new sense of who I am, and where I want to go with my life, and right now I want pink hair, so I did it. Sure the old farts sitting inside Starbucks give me weird looks, but everyone else seems to appreciate it, myself included. While I think once it washes out this time I'll leave it blond it was a good two weeks of having cotton candy hair. I welcomed Spring with my locks this year.

Sterling cuff and ring both from Buffalo Exchange

Mock- Birks from Target and All American Lucky Brand Jeans 

I've become obsessed with muscle tee's. I own 6 as of right now!

   

  Along with the courage to dye my hair, has come the courage to dress in the ways that I always wanted to. Not to say that back home I was style-repressed, it's just that down here in the desert I'm not pressured to dress in the way people think I should, and I don't have to worry about people thinking I dress weird. In Tucson, weird is rad. I also enjoy that you can find turquoise, and other semi-precious stones down here, I love me some sterling. In more terms of discovery, I have discovered that I have no idea how to use a tri-pod, it's pictured in the background of my mirror selfie, but hey it's a good way to show my outfit and my Nikon! (Seriously, I LOVE this camera, everyone buy one with your next tax return). 

   All in all I'm happy, deep down and truthfully happy with my life at the moment, and the beautiful weather just adds to my mood! 

Journal Day 1

In my last blog I did a 30 day challenge as a way to warm up into the blog writing community. I figure it was a good way to just get the juices flowing and everything just out there in the open. One of the blogs I follow, Sometimes Sweet has been doing a daily journal entry prompt. so I figured I may as well follow in her footsteps, and here we go. 

Everyone has a time in their life they view as a crossroad. Sometimes you can see it as it's happening, and you're able to choose one way or another. Other times you may not realize you're there until you look back, and see what a turning point it really was. This week, write about a time you view as a marker in your life; a distinct place where things changed, for better or worse. 

      There have been quite a few times in my life where I thought that the world was ending. When my parents moved our family to Arizona, even though we didn't know anyone here. When I lost my purse in the 8th grade, when I told a boy I liked him, and he told me he was gay. Lots of earth shattering moments in my mere 21 years on this earth, some more serious than others, but I think the most influential choice happened about a year ago. 
     I had just found out that my boyfriend of 8 months had been cheating on me. I was devastated, crushed and thoroughly downhearted. He was my first real love, the first guy I ever let my snarky guard down for, and that was how he repaid me. From where I stood there was only one choice: get out of Prescott. The question was where do I go? For the past three or so years I had had my heart set on Flagstaff. Being in the cool mountain air, with snow, and grass, and a bunch of dirty hippies seemed like a near Nirvana to me. But something in the back of my mind was holding me back. 
    Flash to an old friend coming into town. He lived down here, in Tucson, and could not stop talking about how awesome it was. "Everyone in Tucson is super chill and there's so much to do!" Sales pitch after sales pitch, and I'm an easy target, so I was sold, hook line and sinker. There was also the added bonus of my big brother being down here so at least I would have some support right off the bat.
     Another jump in time. August 2013, me sitting alone in my apartment, bawling my eyes out. I had made a huge mistake. What was I thinking moving out on my own. Prescott was so comfortable, and all my friends are there. I miss my parents, and my pets. I miss how small and safe everything was there. I was miserable, and depressed. I couldn't pull myself together. I would drive the four hours back to Prescott and just cry on my moms lap, and then have to come back down the next day for work. It was just about the darkest time in my life, and no matter what I did, I couldn't shake it. People at work were nice enough, but there was no real connections. All I did was wake up, go to work, come home and sit alone, day in and day out. Most who know me can attest to the fact that I am a very social person, so spending so much time alone was wreaking havoc on my psyche. I was just about ready to throw in the towel, when something switched. I'm not sure if people at work were just warming up to me, or if my constant bombardment of forced conversation had broken them down, but I was actually making friends. I was going out on weekends, I had shopping plans, and coffee dates. Soon enough I would forget that it had been a week since I called my mom crying. It's been months since I was driven home by pure melancholy.  I don't know how or when it happened, but I fell in love with my new live. I was an independent young adult. A girl on the town, striking out on my own, and boy am I glad I got out of that rinky-dink town. There's no looking back for me, only looking forward. 

The Big 80

I honestly don't know how this happened. I guess it's just one of those things that gets out of your control and you don't even realize. In any case like this though, the first step is admitting that you have a problem. Last night when I go home from work there was the fated sticky note on my door. UPS had been here and put a package on my patio. Oh joys of joys! The day I've been patiently waiting 5-7 business days for. I fling open my side door and retrieve the white box, nearly peeing myself with anticipation, and the 20 minute drive home with the 52 ounces of water I dank in my last hour of work....I grab my scissors and cut open the tape. There they are, in a bag, in a box, in the box...my 80th pair of shoes. Oops.

Now, compared to some 80 is hardly a number to brag about. I follow a few people on Instagram, where 80 is no large feat (there could be a pun in that), but to me, 80 seems a bit excessive. Not that I regret my choices and accumulation of shoes, I just don't know how it happened, or where to put them all...

   Not shown is my bucket of sandals, and the boots lined up along the top of my closet...There are shoes all over my room! Two-Three pairs in each of those cubbies, shoes on top of shoes, something has to be done! (No, I don't plan on giving any away, so don't even suggest that.)

I won't lie to you though, I do play favorites., even though I try to be an equal opportunity wearer of all my babies. However from left to right I present the pair that most often adorn my outfits:

1. My go-to going out shoes. Kimchi Blue from Urban Outfitters. I originally bought these for the premiere of the latest Great Gatsby movie because my best friend and I dressed up in 1920's garb to go see it. They've been through much more though, my 21st birthday, this past New Years Eve, so basically a lot of stumbling. 
2. Most commonly worn to work shoes by Free People. I bought these on a whim (and tax refunds) as a second choice because the shoes I originally wanted were discontinued, however I'm much happier with these ones! 
3. "If I decide to wear flares," shoes by Lucky Brand. For some reason flares (circa 1970 classic pants) are always cut super long in the leg, forcing you to really commit to the 70's look by slapping on some platforms. Not that I'm complaining, I love it! #FarrahFawcett4Eva
4. Most commonly worn to school/ Super Target shoes, Chucks, because Chucks... 

So there you have it. I'm addicted to shoes, and obviously working in a clothing store isn't going to help diffuse this addiction, but you know what, I'm pretty ok with that.  

My Job

I've had a total of three jobs since I was 18 and my parents forced me to join the working force, seeing as I was still living at home and they were growing weary of footing all my bills. Finding a job in Prescott, AZ was easier said then done. I applied everywhere: Victoria's Secret, Fry's, Panda Express, many, MANY more. Cutting to the chase I was hired to work at Pier 1 Imports, and after working there for 9 months, I was promoted to a manager. I couldn't have asked for a better first job. I loved all my co-workers, I loved getting my discount on home-goods, I loved it all. However just before my two year anniversary, I started to get THE ITCH. I was bored. Same thing over and over again, dull days, busy weekends, and wealthy housewives out spending their husbands money. So what did I decide to do? Why go work at Starbucks! People never complain at a coffee shop, right? Right?? Wrong. Now being a barista was fun, I'm not going to lie and say I hated it. There were many perks, the best of course being free coffee. Starbucks was also a very generous company, I was making good money, tips were nice for the extra pocket ~shopping~ change, but the cons far outweighed the pros. I never knew that people could be so picky about coffee. My experience before barista life was just ordering straight off the menu.  No fancy substitutions, unless you count soy as fancy, but I mean nothing compared to the Venti 12 pump Chai, Soy, No water, Extra Foam Chai Tea Latte, that evidently only I could make correctly, while to be honest, I barely paid attention to what I was doing half (ok more like 3/4's) of the time... Needless to say when the opportunity arose for me to ditch my green apron, I was more than happy to take it. Which bring us too...

BUFFALO EXCHANGE:

My current, and by far most interesting job. 

Pros to My Latest Job:

1. I can wear whatever I want.

2. See number 1 

3. I love my co-workers

4. It's inspired me to pursue a job as a professional buyer

5. CLOTHES 

Before I moved to Tucson I had maybe been to Buffalo Exchange 4 times, and I had only found out about the company about 1.5 years ago. I mean, I remember in high school my best friend Chelsea would always talk about it, but I was never really sure what Buffalo actually was.  When I moved down here to The Dirty-T I saw that the local Buffalo was hiring, which is cool seeing as it's actually the first Buffalo EVER, I applied not thinking much was to come from it. After the second interview, I knew the cat was in the bag. I've always been better at retail than food industry. There more interaction with people, and as anyone who knows me would attest to, I am a people person. So that's my job. I'm a buyer at Buffalo. There's a lot more to this job than I ever expected, a lot of outside research, but hey any excuse to go shopping and I'm in. 

It's All in the Deets

     Having worked at Pier 1 Imports for two years certainly opened up my eyes to the wonderful world of interior design. From that came forth my strong belief that you need to make a house a home, and the easiest way to do that is to surround yourself with pretty things.
I was determined not to have a shabby first apartment with a beer stained futon when I move out of my parents house last fall, and thus the collecting began. My style is a mix between antiques and Anthropoligie I'd say. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I've done a pretty bang up job.

   I enjoy mixing classical design, with a little bit of funk. I'm also a very large fan of gold. I've tried my best to incorporate in the subtle ways, seeing as it one of the more gaudy colors. Also a fan of the precious (see cupcake print and gnome pot hanger above). While this is obviously not the entirety of my pad, they are some of my favorite details. In conclusion, have a nice place, cause you spend the most time there, so it might as well be cute!

Hello.

Hello out there in the big wide world. My name is Addie and I'm a blogger. I had a blog for a while when I was 17-19 but I wanted to start fresh now that I'm 21 and out on my own. I plan to post music, recipes, outfits, movie reviews, and ramblings of all sorts! I happy to back in the blogging community, lets see if I can keep up this time!