Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.

I love you, dad. Glad you're ok. God was on our side.

This might need to go in my living room

"Somebody once said, Everything you want in the world is just right outside your comfort zone."

I love this remark by Jen Aniston during an interview with Vogue in 2008. It sums up perfectly how I view life and the world. Sometimes we get intimidated by life. I mean, it's so big and scary out there, life that is, and our innate drives as human beings tell us to seek comfort and do what's "right." Well, the best advice I have ever received was to "grow some balls." I have applied this advice to many areas of my life, including the times when stepping outside my comfort zone seemed the most difficult. I have learned to pursue actual interests and passions of mine and take them seriously. I have learned that I am as good as anyone else, and no one can bring me down without my consent. I have learned how to fall down at times, and how to get back up and dust myself off. I have learned to fall in love and to be loved back like I deserve. I have learned to forgive when it wasn't so easy, and how to accept aspects of my life that cannot be changed. I have learned to stand up for myself and what I believe. I have learned that pleasing myself instead of pleasing others at times makes my relationship with myself stronger, and let me tell you... it has taken a lot of balls. I have learned there are very few people in life whose opinions of me I care about. And I have learned that life truly is about going a little extra and exceeding what I am comfortable with in order to get what I want.

I encourage everyone to step outside your comfort zone today. I know I will.

sweaters, and boots, and tights, oh my.

I am not the biggest fan of cold weather or being pale, but fall fashion melts my heart a little bit. Working in the lovely world of retail and fashion, we are always a season ahead. Now I know I have plenty more nights of high waisted mini skirts and peep toes before I even think about breaking out ankle boots and tights, but let's just say I like to be prepared. Here are some fall must-haves I will be sacrificing groceries for come the beginning of the semester:

merino vest



leather ankle boots




solid opaque tights: plum




stoneybreck scarf

hello my future children

How stinkin' cute?

30 things before 30

According Glamour Magazine, here are 30 things every woman should have and should know by the time she is 30.

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

LOVE this! cheers, ladies!