LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Flora by Caitlin McGauley // If this watercolor doesn't get you excited about spring, I don't know what will! It's so happy.
• Photo Booth Props // After thumbing through The Art of Vintage Cocktails book, I hopped on to Danielle Kroll's website to check out her latest work. These props are simply adorable, and I think they should be required at all parties.
• Cotton Peacoat // You're going to see a few of my top picks from J.Crew's new arrivals in today's Love List, so get ready. And since Vibrant Flame is one of my favorite Crew colors, this swingy spring peacoat has my name written all over it.
• Essie in Style Hunter // I had to leave most of my nail polish collection in Hawaii, and I've yet to find a go-to shade of pink. I keep checking Essie's website for new shades, and I have high hopes for this bright hue. Do you have a favorite?
• Mango Raspberry Smoothie // Don't get me wrong, I love our juicer, but I can't wait to be reunited with our blender so we can make smoothies again. This combination sounds delightfully refreshing!
• Kiki Cork Ballet Flats // I've yet to add a pair of Kiki flats to my collection, but that might have to change. These are so versatile and I LOVE the cork texture. I'm thinking it's a sweet everyday kinda shoe. Who's with me?!
• Crystal Shoe Clips // I've been drooling all over the Lulu Frost clips since last fall, but I like the price tag on these better. 
• O-Ring Braided Belt // Bright Kiwi all day, every day. It's the kind of color that's begging you to have a fab day!
• Busy Bee Notebook // I love a good notebook and this little guy is perfect for a gal on the go. In case you're wondering, I'm talking about myself and YOU if you're interested. Do you like how I try to rationalize the addition of another notebook to my collection? This all plays a role in the paper and office supply hoarding problem that I have.
• Gel Pen // Oh Poppin, I've been waiting for the day you come out with a gel pen. This is a game changer, my friends!
• Domino Magazine: Spring 2014 Issue // Be still my heart. No matter what we do this weekend, I MUST get my hands on a copy. Recycled material or not, I look forward to a quarterly reunion with my favorite glossy. It's perfection!
• Warby Parker Spring 2014 Collection // Too bad I don't have a pair of faux specs to throw on while I pore over Domino.

There you have it, m' dears! Cheers to a snazzy weekend. Make it count. 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

Torn Cardboard by Ibon Mainar

FEELING: We've had so many grey days, I found myself wishing for a little rain. If it's going to be gloomy, you might as well have a reason to throw on your wellies and whip out your most colorful umbrella. Am I right? They kept predicting it in the forecast, but no dice. Then on Wednesday it poured. Yahoo! Whenever I slip on my rain boats, I can't help but feel childlike and carefree. I suddenly have the urge to stomp around in puddles, twirl my umbrella, and pretend I'm dancing alongside Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain.  

READING: It's no secret I'm obsessed with Danielle Kroll's illustrations, so I jumped for gin when I read about her collaboration with Stephanie Rosenbaum in The Art of Vintage Cocktails. You can bet I ordered a copy. I can't wait to dive in and maybe even dabble with a few of the recipes. I have a feeling this book is going to be a bar cart necessity!

THINKING ABOUT: Pippa Middleton's latest confession regarding her royal wedding dress is absolute hogwash. With a caboose that cute, I don't think I'd EVER admit the dress fit too well. I'd flaunt that phenomenal backside. These are deep thoughts, I'm aware...  

EATING: Earlier this week, we received a big box from my Grandma and it was filled to the brim with her freshly-baked sugar cookies. I'm just going to throw this out there—no one makes sugar cookies quite like her. It's true! The thinness would make Martha Stewart envious. How DOES she do it? They're so tasty and dainty, which makes them perfect with tea or for dunking into a class of milk.

WATCHING: On Saturday night, Flyboy and I watched a preview of NBC's newest sitcom, About A Boy. Did you watch it? I loved the 2002 movie with Hugh Grant and I simply adore Minnie Drive, so I figured it was worth a shot. While the story is somewhat predictable, the dynamics between the main characters, Will and Marcus, is heartwarming. Catch the premiere episode here!

LISTENING TO: Rebel Wilson and Ellen Degeneres, AKA Rebellen, performed a song from their latest album, "White Ladies Rapping" on The Ellen Show last week. As a result, I can't stop humming their song Watching Cats on the Internet. Despite my disdain for cats, I find myself singing silly lyrics like "Kitty cat, kitty cat, show me that, show me that." You have to watch it. It's SO good!

THANKFUL FOR: Over the past year, I've cultivated a handful of relationships with people I've met in the blogosphere that I've grown to rely on and appreciate. At times it's hard to believe I've never met most of these people face-to-face, but they're friendships that are so honest and genuine. In times of joy and doubt, they've been there to listen and respond with notes of excitement and hope.

LOVING: I was on the MoMA tumblr this week and I was so excited to learn about the work of Ibon Mainar (as seen above). How gorgeous are his collages? When I saw the abstract and colorful landscapes, I couldn't help but think of Mark Rothko's paintings.

 

What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you up to?

A STYLIST'S SPRING ESSENTIALS

Spring Tips: Keep it light (denim wash, fabrics, etc.). Incorporate pops of color with softer shades. Invest in a few versatile pieces (dress up or down).

I'm so excited to welcome Becky Ankrum to One Fine Day today. Becky is an incredibly talented stylist who currently lives in the Minneapolis area with her musician husband and adorable baby girl. Since spring is only a month away and we're all quite eager to welcome warmer weather, I thought it might be fun to have Becky share some of her favorite pieces for spring.

BECKY'S SPRING ESSENTIALS:

1. The Botkier's Legacy Mini Convertible—it's on my wish list. Blush colors (or more neutral colors in general) are so great for spring because it is such a refreshing change from winter's darker colors. This bag is great because it's light and airy and breezy as you can wear it as a cross-body or not. It's nice to have those options.
2. The Nora Perforated Ballet Flat from J. Crew—I have the Quorras from last year and absolutely love them for warmer weather. My feet can breath without sweating to death. My two favorite colors are metallic gold (again, keeping with the neutrals) and also the bright kiwi because it's great to add a poppy spring color to your neutral ensemble.
3. The Albany Biker Jacket from French Connection—a fantastic lightweight spring jacket. I love that it's a little bit tomboy (it being a biker jacket and all), but with the blush color it makes it just the right amount of feminine. Plus, with that color, it goes with just about any other color, and you can wear this jacket with a jeans and t-shirt look or with a dress/skirt.
4. The J. Crew Pocket Umbrella in Neon Yellow Stripe—as I was saying, I always love a good pop of color, and with April showers, we need to be prepared for rain. What better way than with an adorable umbrella?
5. The Ily Couture Wifey Tee is a great example of a lightweight and easy-to-wear tee. And this Oh My Chic Tee is equally darling. I can't decide, but I love these tees for spring because it's so nice to be able to show off those arms since they've been covered up for months.
6. The J. Crew Vintage Straight Jeans are a-MAZING. They are incredibly comfy, and have just the right amount of distress to them. The lighter wash is perfect for spring, and you can dress them up with a pair of heels and a silk cami, or down with a tee and wedges. 
7. Speaking of wedges, I LOVE these Steve Madden Plungee Wedges. I'm a sucker for a good pair of cognac heels/wedges, and these are just fantastic. They will go with everything because of that neutral color and still cover up a good amount of your feet for those cooler spring days.
8. Madewell's Beatrice Ankle-Strap Skimmer in Metallic is also another great spring option. The strap forces you to show off those ankles, and the metallic complements just about any color. Win win. 
9. I'm loving this Gap Cami Maxi Dress. Maxi dresses are perfect for cooler days as well—as they keep those stems covered up. Slap on a denim jacket (or a French Connection biker jacket while we're at it), and you have a perfect 60-degree weather outfit. This rose color is PHENOMENAL, and there's that shot of color I've been talking about.
10. This Aritzia Madden Dress is a good go-to as well. It's nice to have sleeves as an option and you can't go wrong with stripes. 
11. How about a fantastic pop of color with this fabulous Rhinestone Necklace from Zara. I love the matte look. Both colors are fabulous, but the fresh greys and blues are soft and light for spring. 

Thanks for sharing, Becky! 

It's always nice to get tips from a stylist to rethink your wardrobe and a little encouragement to step outside your comfort zone.

Can't get enough of Becky and her impeccable style? Check out her Website, Facebook Page, and Instagram.

TUESDAY TRENDS

I used to think I only liked silver. Boo, hiss! Then three years ago, I embraced my inner Liberace and became obsessed with all sorts of gilded and glittery goodness. Squee! Lately I've been eyeing copper accents, which brought me to the realization that I must be part Magpie—not only can I talk ALOT, but I have a penchant for all sorts of SHINY objects. Now, on with the copper accoutrements...

THE GOODS:

Dumont Pendant Lamp via Crate & Barrel

Boyfriend Watch via ASOS

Enamel-Coated Hair Pins via Madewell

Copper Eyeshadow via Stila

Maddie Ballet Flats via J.Crew

Copper Patina Planter via LEIF

Copper Dot Painted Canvas Bucket via Lumiere Art & Co.

Penny Talk Nail Polish via Essie

Antique Copper House Number via Target

Orb Copper Shaker via Crate & Barrel

Copper Real Good Chair via Blu Dot

I'm guessing you're also part Magpie. Oh, but of course!

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

Beesly always takes time to read her favorite glossies.

A few things I picked up for Flyboy. They have his name written all over them.

Attempting to mix things up with the clothes I packed. Swapping accessories or a splash of color can add excitement to old outfits.

Organizing my baubles. When they're all lined up, it's like a b-e-a-utiful piece of artwork.

Colorful blooms add a touch of Spring to our temporary digs. We're getting closer!

On Sunday afternoon, Flyboy sat down to study and I had big bloggie plans for today's post. Big plans! Okay, actually it was going to be the usual Insta-update post (nothing terribly fancy), but I had every intention to open up Photoshop, put on my blogger hat, and do something creative with my time. I felt ambitious, but after 3 hours of struggling with the Creative Cloud app, I was on the verge of a toddler meltdown, and I was drained. I can't remember how many times I installed and uninstalled the software in an effort to fix the snafu. To all those who were witness—Flyboy, Tripp, and Beez—my sincerest apologies. I owe you Milkbones and the cocktail of your choice. Sweet readers, I'm sorry I couldn't wow you with something fancy today . I don't know how I managed to complicate things, but I did. Putting together this particular post shouldn't have taken as long as it did, but I finally decided to upload a few photos that make me smile and just call it a day. Ha Ha! Blogging has always been synonymous with joy and relaxation for me, but on Sunday it felt more like I had a case of the Mondays and nothing seemed to go right. We all have moments like these that test us, and I realized I wasn't going to prove anything by cursing my laptop. Instead, I opted to step away from the computer, listen to "Happy," turn on Bravo, and cross my fingers that I would fare better with Sunday night's dinner.

If you find you're having one of those days, just dance it out. I promise it works every time.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Rocks by Britt Bass // It's been really hazy and gloomy here this week, so I've been looking for color in every capacity.
• Brass Snail // Another fabulous find from Hunters Alley. I think I'd spray paint it some crazy color and set it on my desk.
• Quoted // I love this Tina Fey quote from Design Crush's Instagram series. Actually, I love the entire series. Great idea!
• Hot Pink Peonies // I'd give my right arm for a bundle of my favorite blooms. Just looking at them makes me happy!
• Jeweled Baseball Tee // I'm a sucker for a baseball tee, so I was naturally drawn to this. It's a fun twist to a casual top.
• Matte Leather Belt // The shade Sea Spray has me wishing I could just go to the beach once more! Pretty please.
• Small Dahlia Cuff // Have you taken a look at the Loren Hope S/S 14 Look Book? The styling is impeccable.
• Ikonik Makeup Bag // I love Artsy Modern, and I recently snagged this. It's so cute, I've actually used it as a clutch. 
• File Folders // It's true, organization gets me all hot and bothered. This color combo from Poppin makes me verklempt.
• Glow Tonic Beauty Elixir // I originally read about this on Refinery 29. Then Kelly gave it her seal of approval. Naturally, I had to order a bottle and see what this Holy Grail product is all about. Here's a coupon code for 20% off: PIXITWENTY.
• The 3-Day Bender Curling Iron // My mom recently bought this and she's giving it two thumbs up. I'm so tempted to buy it because I have really fine hair, and I can never get my curls to hold. For example, this past Tuesday I spent 30+ minutes curling my hair, then I walked outside to take the dogs out and it fell flat and frizzy. I was so disappointed and felt yucky.
• The Lively Show // If you get a chance, make some time to listen to interviews from Liz Schneider and Erin Loechner.
• Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show // He kicked it off with some stellar guests—Michelle Obama, Justin Timberlake, Jerry Seinfeld, Lady Gaga, etc. The Bryan Williams and Lester Holt Rapper's Delight mash-up was definitely my favorite.

There you have it, m' dears! Cheers to a snazzy weekend. Make it count. 

ART I HEART: ROB HODGSON

Franny

Still Life with Monstera Plant, Newspaper and Imaginary Glasses

Crocodile

Cactus

Milk Maketh the Man

Last fall, I featured one of Rob Hodgson's illustrations in this color study post. Does his work look familiar? If not, I won't hold it against you. All the color and whimsy from the OFD vault sort of blend together at times. In fact, I had to revisit Hodgson's website this week when my mom emailed me a link to Maison Alice—an online shop that sells prints from select illustrators, graphic designers, and typographers. Pretty cool, isn't it? Much to my delight, Hodgson has two pieces that are included in Maison Alice's current collection. After I realized the prints were by the same artist from that September color study post, I wandered on over to his blog and spent a good chunk of my morning happily clicking through his work. That's the best kind of clicking, believe me! You should try it. Like now, preferably. Well, this makes me sounds quite bossy, but I imagine you'll be overcome with the same delightful feelings. Now hop to it, and get to clicking! Assertive Ashley is practically giving you orders to smile like the adorable cactus sporting a mustache. I mean, what more could you want on a Thursday? Channel your inner Franny and have a fabulous day!

NEED READ GREED

Today's Need Read Greed, courtesy of the lovely Bethany Curd of Absolutely (Extra)ordinary:

• NEED: I’m a little late to the juicing game, but it has become clear to me that a juicer is something sorely missing from my life. These days I haven't had a ton of time to tinker in the kitchen, so the idea of throwing a bunch of ingredients together for a quick healthy drink sounds very appealing to me!
• READ: Honestly, I’m not typically the biggest Stephen King (read: horror) fan, but this one looks too intriguing to pass up. The idea of people traveling back in time to try and prevent the JFK assassination mixes a little bit of history with Sci-Fi, and this one is at the top of my reading list.
• GREED: I’m tempted to put this under the “need” category because my current pair of blank ankle boots is near death, but these are definitely more of an "in-my-dreams" item. They have a little bit of edge but also feel chic. I’m in love.

Thanks for sharing, Bethany! 

I know you're going to love the juicer, and I think that's one Stephen King novel I could get into (never thought I'd say that!).

SHOP SPOTLIGHT

When it comes to decorating our home, I tend to to be attracted to more eclectic finds. Thanks, mom! I just think they have a way of adding flair to traditional or modern elements that can be found at any ol' store like Target or West Elm (my personal fav!). The best part? Pieces oozing with personality keep our place from looking like it was taken straight from a page out of Pottery Barn catalog—not that there's anything wrong with that—I just want our home decor to be a reflection of who WE are. I want it to look like I used some creativity to make our house a reflection of the people that inhabit the space.

If you're like me, you love the thrill of the hunt, and you're always on the lookout for a great new find. I have a feeling you're going to love Hunters Alley—an online marketplace for design lovers that connects shoppers and sellers. Isn't the Internet fabulous? Your next great find is literally a click away, and I just love that! And for those of you that might be interested in unloading some of your treasures, list your pieces on Hunters Alley for free. Woo Hoo! Just snap a picture of the items you want to sell, submit a snazzy description, and the editing team will sift through submissions and feature goods they believe will be of interest to potential buyers and thrift-seekers. The price ranges vary and there's something for everyone. From barware to brooches, the hunt is on!

I promise this isn't one of those sponsored posts, I'm just really ecstatic about the idea of this website, and I had to share it with you. Before I let you go, I should probably share some of my Hunters Alley picks, as featured above...    

Yellow Metal Box

Red & Orange Decorative Book Set

Vintage Juju Hat

Mid-Century Sand Crab Trinket Box

Black Line, Lime & Blue Fields

Vintage Swiss Handkerchief

Striped Overnight Case

Factory Stacking Storage Box

Happy hunting, m' dears!

MONDAY MOODBOARD

How about a little visual sunshine to jumpstart the week?!

Smitten by Emily Rickard

Sleeveless Fit & Flare Double-Weave Dress

Ban.do Pom-Pom Flower Pins in Neon Pink, Peach, and Pink

Leather Wallet in New Dark Orange

Sophie Small Crossbody Bag in Sunwashed Coral

Rodin Lip Balm

Tassel Trace Pillow in Orange

Suede Scalloped Ballet Flats in Vivid Fuchsia

A Small Deposit Store Sign

RGB Nail Polish in Monarch

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Heisenberg Tee // This will be mine, mark my word. It's crazy and silly, and I just can't help myself. Ever since we finished Breaking Bad, there's been a void in my heart that only Walter and Jesse can fill. This cheeky tee might take care of that!

• Hearts in Love Matchbox // These would be an adorable addition to my collection. Gold foil is synonymous with glam.

• Linen Pouch with Neon Polka Dots // This needs no explanation. I guess I felt the need to fill you in on its super cuteness.

• Gin is My Valentine // A cocktail so good, they say it will make you fall in love. Gin has that effect on people.

• Golden Arrow Studs // These earrings would be totally appropriate for a day like today!

• Whoorlita's Weekly Wardrobe // Whoorl's latest series, which features her little daughter Wita, has me seriously smitten. I look forward to seeing her outfit picks every week. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that I'd like to have a daughter just like Wita. Maybe if I'm lucky she'll want to wear hot pink patent flats like these?! Oh, that would just be too perfect. 

• Brushstroke Throw Pillow // I've professed my love for Helen Frankenthaler countless times (once already this week), and this pillow reminds me of her gorgeous work and appreciation for bold colors and lines.

• Gold Lips Glasses // It appears that Evelyn Henson's shop has more than just delightful prints. Yup, she's got a fabulous blog, free downloads, and DIY ideas, too! I especially love this crafty idea. The lipstick printable is perfection. And how about this "Bisou" desktop background? Now hop on over and check it out. The bright colors are to die for.

• The Matisse Chair // Is there anything more romantic than a little French flair? The fact that these chairs are named after my other favorite artist (okay, I have a handful), makes me love them even more. I dream about buying a set, but I'm not sure what color I'd choose. They're all so amazing!! I love these kinds of fictional dilemmas—they're actually quite fun.

• Ceramic Jewelry Tray // Alright J.Crew, you win. You had us with the "Darling" tray around the holidays, but somehow you managed to up the ante and come up with more cute designs. You can't beat the price or the classic stripes.

• Fringed Love Cake Topper // After creating my giant pink heart, it appears I have a fever for all things fringe. The next time I have a reason to bake a cake and I need a topper, I'm SO making this. It's a festive touch that's bursting with fun!

• 152 Reasons I Love You've Got Mail // In case you missed it, here's an epic list of reasons to love my favorite movie.  

There you have it, lovies! I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day! Cheers to a snazzy weekend. 

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

FEELING: I'm absolutely elated about the three-day weekend! It's shaping up to be rather eventful, and that makes me one happy gal. Woo Hoo! We'll probably have a low-key Valentine's evening at home and watch the House of Cards season two premiere. Pretty wild and crazy, right?! But on Saturday, we have plans to visit Fredericksburg—a cute town in the Texas hill country with lots of snacks, shopping, and antiques. I've got my eye on stores like Dogologie and Red. A change of scenery sounds so refreshing!

LISTENING TO: I can't stop listening to Pharrell's "Happy"—it puts me in a great mood and gives me the urge to start clapping and dancing. Whenever it plays, my intensity level drops, my worries disappear, and I'm carefree. Sounds like the perfect song, right?!

THINKING ABOUT: To preserve my hair's color and condition, I try to only wash it once every two days. Hooray for dry shampoo! To be terribly honest, I really hate to dry and style my hair (I'm lazy), so it's also a really great excuse to just throw it up in a top-knot of some sort. Well, I think I may have overdone it today because the dry shampoo wasn't even cutting it. Ha Ha! Of course I already took a bath and put on my makeup before I came to this realization. Do you ever do this? I hate when I take shortcuts like this. I inevitably feel like a hot mess the entire day. You know it's bad when you can't get your hair to cooperate, even in a "messy" updo. Apparently three days without washing m' weave just won't cut it. I guess it's time to shampoo for real this time.   

EATING: This week, I whipped up Cooking Classy's Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Quinoa Casserole. It was amaze balls! I wouldn't say it's the quickest meal to throw together, but I think you could save time and use a rotisserie chicken instead. Oh, and the cream sauce was the tastiest part—that's probably a no-brainer, but I just thought I'd throw that out there. 

DRINKING: I gave the Starbucks Caramel Flan Latte a whirl this week and it's tasty, but I still prefer my trusty Caramel Macchiato. 

WATCHING: I just learned that we're going to see You've Got Mail at the Alamo Drafthouse tonight. Somebody pinch me (and wash my hair)! I distinctly remember the last time I saw my favorite movie in the theater (hello, middle school), and I honestly never thought I'd get the opportunity to see it on the big screen again. Yippee! For those of you who asked about the "152 Reasons I Love You've Got Mail" image and article in Monday's post, I contacted the author and she's going to make it available online very soon. I'll keep you posted as soon as I have a link. I know all the Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox fans are going to eat it up. It's SO good!

LOVING: A fellow Instagrammer told me about this adorable YouTube video in which a squirrel hides nuts in a Bernese Mountain Dog's fur. It's flipping precious! Being the nut-job dog parents (Ha!) that we are, we had Beesly watch the clip on our iPad. Her expressions were darling, but I'm a little bit biased. Aren't BMDs the most gentle giants? My goodness, I love Berners!

THANKFUL FOR: With Valentine's Day tomorrow, I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and making One Fine Day a part of your daily/weekly routine. As the blog has slowly grown, you've shown me and this little creative space so much love. I truly appreciate your kindness and encouragement. It means so very much to me!

What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you up to? I better go wash m' hair.

THE BLOGGER BUZZ

The Blogger Buzz is back. This month we're sharing our celebrity dream dates, just in time for Valentine's Day!

1. Laura Podlich of Beauty & the Beard // Aaron Rodgers—the QB from my favorite football team would be a perfect date!
2. Katherine Nolden of The Duchess of Plumewood // Michael Phelps—those abs and that smile! I'd live in a natatorium for him...
3. Meghan Anderson of Downtown Daydreams // My initial thought is Ryan Gosling, ever since The Notebook, I've been hooked.
4. Lauren Felix of La Petite Fashionista // Ryan Reynolds! I can't resist a guy who makes me laugh (and he's easy on the eyes!)
5. Ashley Fine of One Fine Day // When I think of John Krasinski, I think of Jim Halpert. Swoon! He's adorable. 

Now that we shared our celeb dream dates, it's your turn to dish. Who's your ultimate celeb Valentine?

Image Credits: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

SIX RANDOM THINGS...

Some days, the idea of settling down at our next base still feels so far away. Monday was one of those days; we struggled a bit. A few weeks ago, we got to submit our application for base housing. I was excited because it felt like we were finally getting somewhere; it seemed like we were one step closer to being reunited with our household goods. Woo Hoo! Then factors like Mother Nature get in the way and Flyboy's schedule is delayed a tad. It's like we're taking two steps forward and one step back. When the weather's wonky, he doesn't fly. It makes complete sense, but we're both ready to be done with this phase of training. He's ready to knock out his last block of flights, and I'm eager to get the hell out of Dodge and make our next place home. Because FB doesn't have a solid finish date, it's hard for both of us to focus on the prize. All the uncertainty makes it feel like we're just flailing about without any real plan. If you're new around here, that's enough to throw Type-A(shley) into a tizzy. I'm learning to be more patient, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little overwhelmed by the LACK of details. What can I say, I'm a work in progress. Whenever I DO feel this way, I try to shift my outlook and focus on the positive—details I can look forward to and variables I can control. In this case, I thought about six items I can't wait to unpack in late March. Of course, I'm excited about the basics like our über comfy couch and mattress, but I came up with a handful of random "things" that make me happy. Whenever the time comes and the moving truck arrives in Swell Rio for delivery, it's going to feel like Christmas! Cardboard and packing tape never sounded so good.

SIX RANDOM THINGS I CAN'T WAIT TO UNPACK: 

• EAMES ROCKER // For my 25th birthday, my mom and dad gave me an authentic Eames Rocker—I like to call it my "Prayer Chair" (read more here). No matter where we move, it's where I can sit to find peace and relax. As silly as it sounds, the deep seat pocket feels like a hug from my parents, and that always makes me feel at home.

• BLAIR RITCHEY LULU // I'm almost embarrassed to share this with you, but I don't currently have possession of my trusty Lulu Clutch. I know, the chartreuse color is perfection and I use it ALL the time. Let me explain. I was using it when the Hawaiian movers were packing our stuff up. I had it laying out on the kitchen counter, but they must have taken my Washi tape system a little too seriously because I failed to put a hot pink piece of tape on my clutch to indicate it should NOT be packed. I remember taking it with me to get pizza the first night of our pack out; I didn't want to bother with a bulky purse. Anywho, I had it laying out on day two because it held my hand cream, migraine meds, and lip gloss. I didn't realize this until AFTER I had a situation with the lead packer—I asked him to kindly wrap our bar cart separate from the rusty laundry drying rack. I heard a loud noise and saw what they were doing. I explained that they could not be stored together for the next six months because I was afraid the rust might spread. I didn't think it was too much to ask, but I later heard the gentleman whisper something under his breath. I wasn't sure if he said "rich" or if he said something that rhymes with rich and starts with a "b" instead. Ha Ha! Long story long, I didn't want to be an inconvenience, and I didn't have the nerve to ask about my Lulu's whereabouts. I should have had it stowed away with our luggage. I imagine I'll find it in a box with kitchen knick-knacks (sigh), complete with a Starbucks receipt and a Boston's Pizza punch card.

• "CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD" PRINT BY HELEN FRANKENTHALER // This was also a gift from my parents, and my heart skips a beat every time I see it. The bright colors are enough to fuel my creativity and optimism. If every day I feel as joyful as this painting looks, then I've fulfilled my duty to live color fully. I think that's an easy goal to strive toward. 

• BIG-SHOT DOT SKIRT // This skirt makes me feel like I can conquer anything. It's just SO happy, and I feel invincible when I wear it. It may be a little dressy for the Tractor Supply, but I know it's going to be ready to twirl around the Rio.

• KITCHENAID STAND MIXER // When I have time on my hands, I like to bake. It's just so relaxing and fun to try out different recipes. Can you imagine what a problem we'd have on our hands if I had access to Chick-Fil-A and my stand mixer?

• SPIN BIKE // It's my preferred way to workout, and I'm counting the days until I get to clip into the pedals, listen to inappropriate music, and sweat a little. Aside from blogging and baking, it's the best stress reliever.

I realize all of these things are just "things", but many of them represent memories and bring me delight. Could I do without them? Of course. Do they have the ability to make any sparse base housing unit feel like home? Yes, and that's why I'm excited for our impending reunion. When your home isn't any one location, it's your stuff that gives you a sense of ownership and belonging.