girl crush: adele

I know you already love Adele. I can't listen to her sing without getting goosebumps. Her voice is magic.






Did you buy her newest album which was just released this week? Because if not, kindly do so.


Poll: Do you think she'll continue to name her albums after her age? Because how cool would that be? (vote over on the right)

BONUS:

Friday Favorites, vol. 46

1. sidewalk cafes





2. rolling bookshelf ladders





3. trapeze dresses or Twiggy, 2.0





4. long strings of pearls





5. Downton Abbey





You guys probably know that I'm a total tellie junkie. But this show.... well. You just have to see it. It's fabulously-written, beautiful, surprising and full of heart. And if you have Netflix Watch Instantly, you can watch it as soon as you'd like. Oh, and it has Maggie Smith. What's not to love?

What's in a name?

When my mom was preggers with me, she and my dad didn't want to find out if I was a girl or a boy until I was born. (Some of our wonderful friends, Jess & B., recently did this, and I totally think I'd do it, too-- wait to find out the baby's gender on its birthday. The excitement and surprise would be fabulous, don't you think?)

Anyway, my mother liked the name Matthew. My dad liked the name Amy. So there you have it. Little Amy was born!

In 1977, the name Amy was the third most popular girl's name in America. In the year I was born, there were 16,257 Amys for every 1,000,000 girls born. That means 1 in 60 girls was an Amy. But it felt like so many more.


Thank you, babycenter.com

There were so many Amys. You probably still know a bunch of them. I had friends named Amy. I was called Amy P. in my most of my elementary school classes (not the coolest name, mind you). I even have an amazing sister-in-law who's name is not only Amy, it's Amy Elizabeth. It's true!

Every so often, someone would ask me if Amy was short for Amelia. It isn't. But that got me to thinking. I didn't (and still don't) know a single Amelia. What a unique, interesting name. For a brief time in college, I even considered legally changing my name to Amelia.



It would be perfect. I could still go by Amy. But by then, my teachers had moved on from calling me "Amy P." and it wasn't so bad. Amy means "beloved" and I do think it's a name that fits me. I always have felt incredibly loved by my family, friends, and husband. I'm not saying I'm going to get an Amy tat any time soon, but I like it. Besides, now I realize my name doesn't have to be unique for me to be unique.

How did you feel about your name growing up? Did you ever seriously consider changing it?

Promote literacy... give a book!

An amazing friend and teacher at the amazing school where I've taught for the last eight years has (with the help of her husband and a couple of key local groups) organized a book drive called Roadrunner Reads. The impetus for the drive came from seeing so many children in our school who don't have books of their own at home. Approximately 80% of our students report fewer than four books in their home, and nearly half have never personally owned a book. Literacy is critical for academic success, and if you love reading as much as I do, you can probably remember a childhood filled with favorite books.

Learn more:


Even though we're officially past the dates of the drive, we're STILL collecting and gladly accepting books for our students! We would LOVE any books you can spare, and we're especially hoping to round up these titles to put in the hands of students. Help share the love of reading with a preteen by donating a book today!

Please contact Margaret and Adrian to donate.

Monday Dose of Cuteness, vol. 21

This photo represents what the last couple weeks have been like for us. How are YOU doing?

Friday Favorites, vol. 45: one day late...

1. snow days
In Austin, we don't so much get snow days as ice days. And since so many people here don't really know how to drive on it, we're guaranteed an ice day/day off from school every couple years. Even though you have to make up the days later in the year, I still think it's worth it. Nothing better than staying in, having a fire, making yummy food and having movie marathons.





2. fur hats





3. seychelles heels
My new favorite mustard-colored heels are by Seychelles. How did I not know about this shoe company before? All their shoes look like they're from 1920s Paris, I swear. I got these heels on discount from DSW, and although they're not listed online, you may still be able to find them in store.





4. twin sets

And by twin sets, I mean this kind:



Not this kind:



Although, technically, this would be twins... in twinsets?


5. date night





BONUS: pomsecco
My favorite drink from Blue Star Cafeteria, which is pomegranate juice and prosecco.
We just went there last night for date night/cheat meal of the week, and I got to enjoy this bubbly confection.





BONUS Bonus: Documentaries
After dinner, we watched this little film. If you know us, you pretty much know that we aren't planning to have children right now, but we really do adore children. And pretty photography. And pretty light. So this little documentary (which has almost no talking) along with its cultural contrasts was so fascinating.



Some of our other favorite documentaries:
Man on Wire



King of Kong


Spellbound


I also love Trekkies, Hands on a Hardbody and if you're up for some more serious fare, The Corporation, The Rape of Europa, and Seven Up (which is both hilarious and heartbreaking) are all amazing.

Do you have any documentaries you recommend?

Abazias diamond earring giveaway!

I'm so excited to announce a fab giveaway sponsored by Abazias. Win these gorgeous, white gold, chandelier earrings! (valued at $445)




To enter for a chance to win these antique style diamond earrings, please:
1. Visit Abazias.

2. Leave a comment below telling me where you'd wear these beautiful earrings. If you don't have a blog where I can easily contact you, please also leave your email address.

3. Keep your fingers crossed until next week (Saturday, Feb 19), when I'll announce the lucky winner!


/Giveaway is open until Friday, February 18, 2011 at 12:00 midnight CST. Open to U.S. readers only. /


UPDATE:
Bonnie C. is our lucky winner!




Bonnie C.-- Congratulations! Look for an email from me today so I can get your address to mail you these sparkly beauties! :)

"And now here is my secret,

a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

it's all happening: the texas style council

About a week ago, I blogged about how our little photography bizness is now a platinum sponsor of the 2011 Texas Style Council Conference, coming up here in Austin during SXSW! I figured I wouldn't have to tell you guys about it, since you all already know all about it. Then I thought, wait just a second.... What if there's still some fabulous blogger out there who hasn't yet heard about it? Well, this one's for you.

Go right this minute and find out about the first ever Texas Style Council Conference and how you can be a part of the fabulosity!

P.S. ooh, and stop by our photobooth during the dance party Saturday night and say hello!

Monday Dose of Cuteness, vol. 20

Kinda cute. Kinda gross. Totally hilarious.