AUGUST FAVES

What I loved about August was it's spontaneity. Spontaneous movies in the park. Spontaneous trips to New York. Spontaneity is what keeps life fun + boy does that describe August. Can you believe it's time for another month of Faves!? Well, let's round 'em up, shall we?!

Sam Adams Brew + View! In an attempted trip to Newport Kroger for the ingredients of a home made dinner we happened past this food trucked, brew fested, movie under the stars in Eden Park! We reserved our free tickets right away & abandoned the thought of a boring dinner for something magical. It was perfectly spontaneous & delicious & hilarious (Wedding Crashers). I just love Cincinnati.

You know what other city I love? New York! As you know, in August I took an unexpected trip to the East Coast to visit my little sister. I had never been to New York but seriously am in love. It was amazing. You can read all about it HERE.

Freshman year of college a crush introduced me to Vampire Weekend. The crush didn't last but my love for these tunes did. I've been listening to a lot of music to try & stay in the zone at work. This one stuck out among the thousands. I love the beat to the "baby, baby, baby.." at 43 seconds. It's hard to explain.. so take a listen :)

At the end of August we caravanned up to Detroit, Michigan --my Papa's hometown. We had a second commemorative service for him with about 100 people that didn't have enough notice to make it to the first. Spending time + continuing to heal with my extended family was magical.

+ I made it back just in time to watch the WEBN Labor Day Fireworks from my friend's ninth floor balcony. We were eye level to the greatest light show The Queen City witnesses. How lucky am I?!

There were so many adventures this month! We've found new breakfast places, furniture warehouses & Flea Markets. I took Ultimate Air Shuttle to New York City. I laughed + lived  + wined + dined. August was one heck of a month but to sum it up in one word, I'd have to say LOVE.

BOOK CLUB: #GIRLBOSS

We had our first Book Club Meeting in real life! That's what I love about blogging. It brings people together, sometimes even in person. Our selection was #GIRLBOSS & I am obsessed. Sophia Amoruso is the CEO of Nasty Gal + the author of #GIRLBOSS. In the course of seven years she built her multi million dollar company from the ground up with zero loans + zero debt.

What?!

I read #GIRLBOSS in three plane rides. She's so young + her voice is so strong that I literally thought of her as a friend. I felt like she was speaking straight through the text + specifically to me. That takes a talented author. #GIRLBOSS is her story + advice. 

I hosted our first Meeting + thus came up with three light discussion questions:

1.) What were your favorite quotes? 
Most of my favorite quotes came from the chapter just below: on magic. "There's also the everyday kind of magic that we make ourselves. & that's really not magic at all. It's just recognizing the fact that we control our thoughts & our thoughts control our lives." Guys. I read this chapter on the plane back from New York & literally was jumping in my seat. This is Magical Simplicity. It's appreciating your life as it happens. I've read this chapter three times.  What about you? Did you have a favorite?

2.) How did you feel about Sophia? What is something from her story that you could relate to? 
I loved Sophia. She says in the course of the book that there is something like an 800 million to 1 chance that you are who you are. So you should own that individuality. She really lives by that. She never apologizes. She didn't hide. She didn't lie. My favorite bloggers + authors are the ones that expose themselves + let you see how normal they are. It is really cool.

Something that we discussed at Book Club was that at times, Sophia contradicts herself. Like she'd say: be frugal -- but then she will buy a nice pair of shoes. Be aggressive for what you want + accept nothing less -- but be the one that packs the boxes + do it without complaining. I truthfully didn't even realize she flipped flopped while I was reading (probably because I think this way in my own mind) but she for sure did. 

What did you think? Did you like Sophia overall?

3.) Is there any lesson you learned from #GIRLBOSS that you have already or will enact into your own life?
 I did. Comparing yourself. You are going to ruin yourself if you don't stop comparing yourself. It's not worth it! You have no effect on your competition, so "might as well wish them well + move on with it." Be your own idol. As my friend Teeny mentioned, another favorite lesson is: Before you complain about what you don't have, think for a second. Have you ever just asked for it? Again! So True! You'd be amazed what you'll get just by asking.

Overall, I LOVED #GIRLBOSS. It was a refreshing read that really made me think a lot about my goals, dreams, + aspirations. What I loved even more was reading it with friends. We are a talented group of bakers + cooks + mixologists  (it appears!) + I cannot wait for our September meeting. 

P.S. In case you couldn't make it or are participating from afar: I still would love to hear your comments on #GIRLBOSS. Please add in the box below.  Until next time (& The Cuckoo's Calling)!  

DIY: METALLIC GOLD PLANTER

A few weeks ago I went down to South Carolina to visit my family & came back with two plants. One of them was the Jewels of Opar. My Grammie divided hers into several styrofoam cups & sent us each home with a section. 

The little styrofoam cup was only meant to last the car ride home, but I accidentally made it last through my trip to Siesta Key, then my trip to New York, then my trip to Baltimore. 

See I was trying to find a cute pot! Something unique, but affordable. But as my Jewels of Opar started to die, I realized I didn't have the luxury of time. I caved & bought the 97 cent standard pot from Home Depot.

& then  I remembered my golden spray paint! I gave it two coats, they dried in just a few minutes!

As you can see (left) I don't have so much luck with plants. So I took a gold paint pen for a little quiet  encouragement. Moral of the story: everything looks better in gold :)

LA DA DI THE GRAPHIC TEE

La. Da. Di. I love the graphic tee.

What I love about the weekend is that it's a chance to let loose.  No need for you, pencil skirt. Farewell constrained button down! I'm not even going to look  at you til Monday!

I bought my first three graphic tees all in the same day (it was Friday) (smirk emoji). I admit, & my cashier did too, it was a little excessive. Here's what happened: After spotting Elsie + Emma's shirts HERE, I got it in my head I should own a Brunch shirt. Why? Because I would always prefer to be at Brunch. Weeks later: Perusing Banana Republic with my sis for business clothes & in the middle of the fall collection.... BAM. THIS. Sold. But not. They are expensive. So.. I sat in stalk mode til this weekend's $50-off-$100-purchase sale. I came out with three perfect graphic tees. All for half price. (Jump for joy!)

Now let's talk about Banana for a second. Are you surprised? I was. We had a nice chat about it (the cashier + me). Banana has a new Creative Director. Her name is Marissa Webb & "she's all about taking life less seriously."  It's sharp angles & layers & working weekend wear into the work place. I think I'm going to love #TheNewBR. & Marissa, you're my idol.

So that's my thought this Monday. Let's have fun. I know not every day is the weekend. But maybe we could treat life a little more like it was. So, my loves, ready for a great, fun & magical Monday? Hint: the answer should be yes. & let's do it together. Ready? Go! 

Bee tea dubs:

Shirt: Banana Republic Graphic Tee [in stores only] [similar]
Shorts: JCrew Shorts [old.. like 2009]
Shoes: DSW Clearance(!) Gladiator Sandals [here]
Sunnies: NYC Street Vendor  
Photography: Jacob Heath.

P.S. Definitely going to style the graphic tee into my work wear. Stay tuned :)

THE APARTMENT HUNTER'S SECRET WEAPON: RENTER'S RESUME

With the season turning some of you may be looking for a new home. Owning the fact that we put the "Y" in YP - I know a ton  of you are still renting (like me!). & man! Is that renter's market a competitive one! With hot neighborhoods like OTR, Mt. Adams, Hyde Park, Oakley, Mt. Lookout etc. it's a miracle to even get a showing in your dream apartment!

Here's one secret tip for you awesome Magical Simplicity readers that will help set you ahead of the crowd. Around the time I was looking at a studio apartment on Jackson Street in OTR [Correction: around the time I was about to look], I called my sister in San Francisco where housing is super cut throat. Annie, she said,  you need to go with a renter's resume + a blank check. I had never heard of a renter's resume, so she gave me the details & I got busy: [PS you can click the photo to enlarge]

Tips:

• You can get a free credit report from Equifax if you sign up & (oh you must remember to) cancel in seven days. They also have your 3 digit credit score.
• The summary & preferences, that's all you :)
• In addition to the resume, bring with you: a copy of your ID, the full credit report + the blank check in case you have to make a deposit on the spot. 
• If you don't use checks (like me) the bank can print you a set of three blank one for about $2.

So, as you know, The Studio is not in OTR. Which leads me to my biggest tip of all: if you know you really want it, offer to pay a year in advance without ever seeing the space. I didn't do that. But someone at the Jackson St. Apt. did.  

It was a bummer, but later that day I found my Studio & it was love at first sight. I handed over my Renter's Resume + packet to my current landlord & she said the place was mine if I wanted. Note: She had never seen a Renter's Resume before! I guess we're beating the trend here in Cincy ;)