Whiffenpoofles

Quote Love: "I need wonder. And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. I don't think there's any better worship than wonder." - Don Miller

Spring Break Countdown: FOUR DAYS!

We saw these guys in real life on Friday. To be honest, I only knew of them in the first place because of Gilmore Girls (thank you, Rory, for educating me on all things Yale. And college, actually. I re-watched season 4 as I was coming in to college and it was super helpful.) But they were good (well, obviously, they go on world tours and are on TV shows and stuff)...and surprisingly funny as well. Por ejemplo, when they were introducing themselves: "I'm double majoring in Romance and Robotics, and when I grow up I'm going to be a Love Machine."

And then Monique accidentally called them the Whiffenpoofles, which was hilarious.

The concert also included some of our own acapella groups, the Virginia Gentlemen and the Virginia Belles, and in my humble opinion, those VGs are just as good as the Whiffs. 

Oh, acapella groups. So UVA right now. And, apparently, so Yale for the past 100 years...

Promises

Currently Listening To: You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham

Come, let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces;

now he will heal us.

He has injured us;

now he will bandage our wounds.

In just a short time he will restore us,

so that we may live in his presence.

Oh, that we might know the Lord!

Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

or the coming of rains in early spring.

Hosea 6:1-3 [NLT]

[image via We Heart It]

Wedding Talk (or: And So It Begins)

Currently Listening To: The coffee pot percolating. Oh, the anticipation. (mostly I just wantd to use the word "percolate")
Currently Eating: Honey Bunches of Oats cereal and a banana.

Today I am going wedding dress shopping with my sister!

I'm super happy for Linnea of course, but also excited because, as maid of honor, this provides a legitimate reason for me to check out wedding blogs!! (...not like I don't anyway, let's just be real.)

And so I feel that is at last appropriate to mention BHLDN, the new wedding line inspired by Anthropologie that has been blowing up the blogosphere (well, the parts of the blogosphere that I pay attention to, at least) since its release on V-Day. And because Anthro is so wonderful, of course their wedding line will be equally wonderful (and unaffordable for oh, say, me. When I have to think about this stuff for myself, I mean. Which is not yet.)

Anyway. Yes, the gowns are beautiful and intricate and unique (which, in some cases, is a nice way of saying a wee bit strange), but I think what I love most about this site is their "Nuptials of Yesteryear" section, which is a collection of old-timey wedding photos. Aren't these just the sweetest?

P.S. I took the "What Kind of Bride Are You" quiz (duh) and got La Bohémienne. Yesss.

A Creative Life

So in love with this print tonight:

[Credit unknown, via Pinterest]

P.S. Thursday night means half-off at IHOP with a student ID. So three carfuls of people and a half-stack of harvest grain and nut pancakes for me? Yeah, that just happened. 


Edit: My inner future English teacher has been debating whether or not I can handle the fact that it says "loose" instead of "lose." Which, I'll admit, I didn't even notice right away. It's just so darn cute that I still love it, but...what do you guys think? Is correct grammar/word usage more important than overall aesthetics? Or does it not even matter?

Flipping Out Right Now

BROOKE FRASER IS COMING TO CHARLOTTESVILLE!!!!!

Thank you to Hope/Kathleen(/Allie? haha.) for letting me know, because this is exactly what I needed to hear to soften the I-can't-actually-spend-my-life-reading-YA-Lit blow I get every Wednesday night. (Sorry I mention this often. But it affects my life often.) (Sidenote: on my "what I actually have to read tonight" list: King Lear and an article called "To Be Loved: Amy Denver and Human Need-Bridges to Understanding in Toni Morrison's Beloved" ...Yayy?)

Anyway, I am definitely buying my ticket as soon as they go on sale this weekend. Luckily, I have a ton of people to go with ...which, of course, just brought about this Facebook status from the room across the hallway:

Sorry, Abby :]

I Need Some Coffee

Quote Love: "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." - T.S. Eliot

Y'all, I am snagging a few minutes in the library right now during my awkward 45 minutes between classes (no, really. It's an awkward amount of time. Factor in walking time, and that only gives me about 20 minutes to actually be in any one place...definitely not enough time to get into reading. Maybe enough to time for a super speedy post?)

It seems impossible given the SEVENTY DEGREE WEATHER of a mere three days ago, but it is snowing outside right now. SNOWING. Just a few flurries, and hardly sticking, but seeing as I was wearing shorts on Friday, it is somewhat atrocious. (And I promise, in real life, I do love snow...)

As I was walking to class this morning with Margaret and Monique, we decided we would much rather be in a coffee shop with some sort of hot beverage (...even though I was carrying a thermos of coffee as we were walking) and each other instead of trudging towards all of our longest day of classes, because it is just that kind of day. And I am seriously trying to wrap this up quickly so I have time to buy some coffee before my next class. Seriously, I think that would make things so much better. I love coffee.

That's why I especially love that above print. And Italian espresso makers like that particularly remind me of the Lusnfords' kitchen and the time when, inspired by the Lunsfords' kitchen, I got my dad one for Christmas. And may I just point out that this print is actually a tea towel?! It's from this store. Adorbs, right? I am definitely going to have this in my kitchen when I'm a grown up... 

Alright. Time to refill my thermos and head off to my next (two hour and forty-five minute long) class...let's just say that Tuesdays definitely require a lot of caffeination. 

Vivez La Langue

I find this little commercial beyond wonderful.

Basically, it makes me want to:

a) Try and remember all the French I knew once upon a time

b) Go to Paris*

c) Ask a French boy for directions

d) Live happily ever after. Avec du café et puis dîner dans un petit restaurant, bien sûr.

e) All of the above.

...Who's with me?

*Especially now that I can actually appreciate it. I was last there in 1999 and eating at McDonald's on the Champs-Élysées was a highlight. I also have this one memory of riding the metro and clinging to my dad's backpack because I was scared to death someone was going to pickpocket it. Oh, and my mom trying to get me to eat crushed up Dramamine in a spoonful of Nutella before the ferry back to England. Traumatizing experiences, I'm telling you.


[Soure: EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo, via Snippet & Ink]

Besties

Meet my best friends, Abby and Alessia:

Unfortunately, we don't get to see each other much, seeing as I'm in Virginia and Abby's in Texas and Alessia is all the way is in ITALY. Last summer, the three of us got to be reunited for about three days in Ethiopia, which was the first time we had all been together since we graduated in 2008. And don't worry -- we made that reunion count, starting with the fact that Alessia didn't even know I was going to be in the country, so we staged the biggest, best surprise ever.

But like I was saying, we don't see each other much, and we have such different lives now that sometimes it's hard to even keep each other updated. But I am feeling SO BLESSED this weekend, because...

1. I got the best package ever from Abby,

which had (among other things) this absolutely adorable, wonderful book she WROTE and DREW for ME:

(Isn't she the most creative person you've ever seen? ...I'd have to agree.)

AND THEN

2. I got to skype with Alessia (Gabriella Maria Christina Louisa Santilli) for AN HOUR AND A HALF yesterday! Guys, this never happens. And what I loved about it was that it was just so chill and we were wandering back and forth between super intense and super random topics, just like we used to. (Do you have any friends like that? Where you can just pick up right where you left off, even though it's been six months since you've had a legitimate conversation? They're the best, really.)

(Sidenote: Who would have EVER thought that you would be able to look through your little computer screen and see and talk to your BFF in Italy? Thanks, Skype. I really should log into you more often...Especially considering the whole parents in Kenya thing.)

I'm so thankful to be reminded of old times, of Super O, Toitle and Coony, of code names and Christmas Day and singing into highlighters and pow cows and kitfo and EVERYTHING. (and Abby and Ale, I love you both a LOT!)

p.s. I was looking through a bunch of old pics to find a good old one of the three of this...

I'd have to say this one a success. Captures us so well. Circa 2006, maybe?

Friday Five

Currently Listening To: Lupe

Quote Love: "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin Buber

Yes, this was supposed to be posted yesterday. But life is busy and sometimes unexpected things happen like you have to pick up your car from getting the oil changed and then traffic is crazy and you don’t make it back home before you’re supposed to be giving people rides to an overnight retreat. Or something. So, in honor of yesterday, I present to you...

Five Things To Do On The Most Beautiful February 18th In The History Of Virginia

1. Take anything you have to get done OUTSIDE. Even if what you have to do is make fifty (sassy and bedazzled) nametags.
2. Carry a really, really long paper chain (roughly seven me's in length...or about 35 feet) allll the way down your street.
3. Forget to get dressed for real and wear running shorts & sparkly Toms all day long
4. Get a smoothie - especially if you have a buy one, get one free coupon and a friend to use it with.
5. Attend a retreat where you can spend all day and evening (and night, unless you’re unlucky and have a job interview in the morning…) with the most wonderful girls ever, discuss God and love and stuff, eat ice cream and paint your toenails purple.

 [image via we heart it]

Conviction

"The critical question for our generation—and for every generation— 

is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the 

friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and 

all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties 

you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no 

human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with 

heaven, if Christ were not there?"

- John Piper

[Image: "sky" by savestheday45, via Design is Mine]

Owl City + Tay Swift?

Yes. Please.


From Adam Young (aka Owl City)'s blog:

...As track 8 came to a close and the album switched over to track 9 (a breathtaking song called Enchanted and one of my favorites on the entire record), something began to feel curiously “familiar.”

I couldn’t put my finger on it. Why did the song feel so personal? Why was it ringing a bell? Perhaps it was merely the word“wonderstruck” that indeed struck a sweet chord, but before the second chorus hit, I’d already added up the letters:

A-D-A

And then it hit me like a freight train. I didn’t even need to find that last letter “M.” A colorful swirl of memories flashed before my eyes as it all added up. My jaw hit the floor.

The track is absolutely gorgeous and I’m so tremendously honored that Taylor would write such an elegant song and thereby offer a gracious nod in my direction. Needless to say, I was lost for words and utterly smitten. I couldn’t stop smiling.

I figured such an eloquent gesture should be reciprocated by the most polite, heartfelt and respectful response I could possibly muster. It’s no secret that I’m a bit shy, so naturally music was the most articulate way of attempting such a sincere endeavor. How does one respond to such a personal outpouring of emotion and sentiment? I tossed and turned over that one.

They say “timing is everything” and that brings us to now. Today is Valentine’s Day.

And thus, here is my reply…

I don't know about you, but I certainly find this enchanting. Thanks to Abby Kirkham for finding this and emailing it to our house! 


(You can check it out in its original glory here!)

Distraction

Today was a long, long Tuesday smackdab in the midst of a busy, busy week. 

Thus, I'm distracting myself with all the enchanting images and prints collected on Design is Mine, the most recent blog I'm crushing on. Like this one:

[source]

Now, begrudgingly, on to some reading. Although I'm saving my paper for tomorrow, so I can hunker down at a coffee shop and have at it all day long...please, try not to be too jealous.

Some Valentinesy Things

Here are few Valentinsey things that make me happy:

This chart that this couple made of their relationship:

I think they made it to win a contest for free photography, and I think the fact that they did not win means not all is right in this world. Also, now I'm convinced I need to marry a graphic designer... [source]

These Ecards from Kate Spade:

The most wonderful Valentine's ecards I've seen in my life. Send one to someone you loooove! Who cares if it's a wee bit late? [source]

This usage of Anthropologie mugs:

I love mugs and I love Anthropolgie. So what could be better than this?? (also, can I just say that I am the only member of my family without a monogrammed Anthro mug. This needs to change asap.) [source]

This book of notes:

Could you imagine getting something like this? So much time, love, creativity and effort was poured into this I can hardly handle it. [source]

This print:

[source, via Cup of Jo]

Oh, and this one too:

[source]

And some other things:

- chocolate chip and M&M pancakes for breakfast, courtesy of my housemate Margaret

- cookies and a mix CD delivered at midnight by some lovely lovely friends

- This reminder, from 1 John 4:19 (The Message version): "We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first."

I hope your Valentine's Day was full of happy things!

Finding Joy in the Five-Day Forecast

Currently Listening To: Collide, by The Shakespeares
Currently Reading: Beloved, by Toni Morrison, and about to start Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. (After I read an article taken from The Educator’s guide to emotional intelligence and academic achievement, that is.) 
 

This is best thing I've seen all day:

Spring, please come soon! I just want to wear dresses and sandals and lay on my stripey blanket with all my favorite people on the grassy knoll out in the sunshine pretending to actually be reading. Really, that is all I am asking for.

Joshua In Concert

The Joshua Radin concert was last night. And although I was kind of feeling twinges of sadness that I wasn't at the Civil Wars (which was just around the corner, and sold out a week ago), it was still wonderful. Josh (yes, we're on that level now) was fantastic in person and he shared a lot of the background stories to his songs which I liked and, in some cases, means I will never be able to listen to some songs the same way again (two words: baby-making music). But really, he was good, the venue was charming, and we even enjoyed his openers -- Andrew Allen and Anya Marina (neither of whom we'd heard of before) (Anya took a while to grow on me, but then she did a singer/songwriter-style cover of T.I.'s "Whatever You Like"...yeah. It was entertaining.)

Anyway, I went to the concert with my friend Taylor, and before we went we were having dinner at Taylor's house with a group of people and talking to our friend Arthur (who, sidenote, is Asian.) Taylor had just told Arthur that we were about to leave for the concert, which sent him on a which basically went like this: "Why do white people always just want to listen to emo white guys playing the guitar? I'm serious -- whenever white girls post a video it's always some emo guy with a guitar, even if it's worship music. What are you even supposed to do at that type of concert? Just stand there?"

I kind of died laughing a little, and told him I was sure that had to be on stuffwhitepeoplelike.com...and sure enough: 

#67 Standing Still at Concerts.

HILAR. (But seriously. Even though Josh was good at all, I kind of spent the last few songs wanting him to be done, because when you've been standing in the same spot on a gently-sloped floor holding your coat for three hours...it's tiring.)

[image source]

Manifesto!

Currently Listening To: "Silly Love Songs" from Glee

This is blogger Katie Armour's "manifesto" from her blog, the Neo-Traditionalist, and I am in LOVE with it. Can this just be my life, please? Like, right now?

We believe in being glass-half-full sorts of girls.

We believe that often times, granny is chic.

We believe in peddling vintage Schwinns with flower baskets.

We believe in poetry, picnics, and piñatas.

We believe one is never too old to keep a diary, the secrets only grow more scandalous.

We believe in arranging fresh flowers unruly like an English garden.

We believe in adventure and traveling the globe, be it to Marrakech or Malibu.

We believe in mixing lucite with oriental rugs. Thrift store finds with heirlooms.

We believe in handwritten thank you notes, better late than never.

We believe in needlepoint, letterpress, decoupage and forgiving Martha Stewart.

We believe in piggy banks and cookie jars.

We believe in book clubs full of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Austen and Woolf.

We believe station wagons are hopelessly chic.

We believe in recycling our Grandmothers’ names. Eloise, Jackie, Faye…

We believe in collecting: stamps, shells, books, big glittering diamonds…

We believe in marrying the boy that writes us the best love letters.

We believe in highly competitive board games—Chess, Scrabble, Chutes & Ladders.

We believe in spontaneous road trips and charming, chintzy bed & breakfasts.

We believe there’s something to fortune cookies, wishbones and 4 leaf clovers.