happy weekend!

SO sorry for the radio silence this week -  after a whirlwind weekend in LA, I was crazy busy and could barely find time to sleep. Welcome to the world of PR.

The most delicious brunch I've ever had at Geoffrey's in Malibu.

insane view.

Laying out in Malibu. One day I'll have one of those humble abodes...just one day.

My bestie and I at her housewarming party! 

It was so nice to get away and enjoy the California sunshine. 

And now, I've taken my FIRST day off work, and have...

It's been over 2 years since my family took a vacation together, and since all our schedules are nuts, my parents rented a lake house this month just across the border in Wisconsin. 

Feeling so-very-blessed.

Here's where I'll be sitting until Sunday. 

With this silly thing.

Have a great weekend! xo

californiaaaaaaa

This sums up exactly how I feel. Which is why my weekend getaway to Los Angeles to see my bestie is the perfect cure. 

My bags are packed, and I'll be spending the weekend beachside in Malibu, brunching off the PCH and galavanting around in the sunshine. 

Jealous?

guest post: natalie merrillyn

Today I bring you the lovely Natalie sharing some beach inspiration. I so wish I were the girl below...

Hello Urban Slant readers! I'm Natalie from Natalie Merrillyn and I'm so excited to be guest posting on Julia's blog. 

Lately I've been dreaming of a beach getaway. I always have a tendency to over-pack for everything, {I like options!} but visualizing my outfits beforehand always helps me weed out the things I won't be needing and frees up more space in my suitcase. I've curated a little weekend beach packing list -- an easy, breezy dress for walking to and from the beach, cute wedges for going out, and fun, bright accessories.

ONE Mara Hoffman Embroidered peasant dress {$286} TWO Emamó Poeme lace triangle bikini {$225} THREE Elizabeth & James Lafayette cat eye sunglasses {$155} FOUR Alexander McQueen Pink Kingsland vinyl tote {$210} FIVE Forever21 Metallic bow sandals {$14.80} SIX The Girl and the Water Lime beach towel {$29} SEVEN Ann Taylor Cotton/silk Havana winds scarf {$39.99} EIGHT Madewell V-neck pocket tee {$19.50} NINE Old Navy Scarf wedges {$29.94} TEN AG Adriano Goldschmied The City shorts {$168} ELEVEN Marc by Marc Jacobs Brown wooden bolt bangle {$60}

A huge thank you to Julia for having me today!

And please stop by Natalie Merrillyn for more inspiration!

xo 

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heading south

I'm heading south today to Austin, Texas to celebrate Jackie's bachelorette party! I couldn't be more excited to put on my boots, rekindle my romance with Tequila, and be in the company of people that say "y'all".

My inner Texan is just itchin' to get out. 

This is where you can find me by day at the W pool.

And by night on 6th Street. 

via

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and enjoy the sunshine. 

Until next Tuesday...

paris dreaming

With a week that was tougher than normal, I wish I were this girl. Happily sitting in a park, looking at the Eiffel Tower. In Paris. 

Le Sigh.

Have a great weekend! xo

copenhagen: color inspiration

On my recent trip to Copenhagen, I was blown away by the use of color -- it was EVERYWHERE. 

And not just the pretty buildings you see in magazines. They have open flower markets in the streets, and fresh flowers in every store, restaurant, bathroom - you name it. There are fresh flowers.

I was in love.

I decided to pull some of my favorite pictures that had pretty colors, and match them to some of my favorite interiors.

1. Flower Inspiration Photo

How I picture it inside...

2. Yellow Building Inspiration

How I love yellow. In bedrooms!

3. Green Building Inspiration

Some favorite uses of the color (can you tell I love green lately)?

4. Water inspiration (since Copenhagen is surrounded by canals)

Some navy blue interiors.

Can I go back already? Please?

parisian shopping

When I think of Paris I think of three things:

1. Food (specifically macarons, croissants and cheese)

2. Unparalleled architecture and art

3. Shopping 

(in no particular order)

This post focuses on my most recent purchases in Paris. We'll just ignore the fact that I still haven't looked at my credit card. Why would I ruin a perfectly good day? Never.

No, I didn't purchase a Céline bag. I marveled at it at Bon Marché, but couldn't pull the trigger. I did however purchase some cute items that didn't really break the bank.

Diptyque Candle

Merci (beautiful store that is unlike anything I've ever seen)

Skinny Gold Ring

Chevron Sweater from Montmartre

Striped shirts from H&M and some goodies from Kookai

Shirt//Necklace //Shirt

Water Color Picture from Place du Tertre

I also managed to snap this picture by Rue St. Honoré. Parisian street style at it's finest. Pretty sure the girl on the right was on her way to a casting call for Paris Fashion Week. Trés Chic. 

See? I was a good girl! Nothing outrageous, and all practical items. Stay tuned for more posts inspired by France and Denmark!

Bisous! xo

happy weekend!

Sorry for not posting yesterday -- my sleep schedule is all out of whack, thanks to Europe. I can't complain though. I had the time of my life. I think I gained 1390193 pounds, and charged an absurd amount of money on my credit card. But obviously I'm ignoring these facts. 

I want to move back to Paris.

Now.

Seriously.

Is that too much to ask? I don't mind where I live, or if I have a shoebox for an apartment. I just want to be there. Merci. 

I leave you with a few pictures from my travels. Stay tuned next week for Denmark/France related posts.

Bisous! xo

being a silly tourist in Copenhagen.

I don't think there is anything more romantic, beautiful and exquisite than this. Tu me manques Le Tour Eiffel. 

bonjour paris!

I've been in Paris only a few hours, and I'm already 100% content. This is my happy place. You know, the place you dream about that brings you complete relaxation and swirls of happiness in your stomach? This is it. 

I lived here in college. 

I fell in love.

I come back every year to get my fill, and I never want to leave.

Something about the winding cobblestone streets, the enchanting lights, the view from Montmartre at night, the cafés, oh and the shopping.

My mission this time around is to NOT buy this bag. Seriously. I want it. I must resist. 

Look at how perfect it is.

But let's play a little game.

If I did lose my marbles, fall into a LARGE sum of money, and turn into a Parisian woman...

Which color should I buy? 

I'm torn between black and nude. 

Until then...bisous! 

bon voyage!

Hope you all had a fabulous (hopefully 3-day) weekend! I had a friend in town, and we had a blast galavanting around the city, enjoying good meals, and relaxing. 

Now, I'm attempting to pack everything I need for eight days in France/Denmark! 

I wish my packing look liked this.

sigh.

I picture myself like this in France.

Like this in Denmark.

And wishing I could fly like this.

I'll be checking in on the blogosphere periodically, but will otherwise be in lala land. Don't fear -- I've got some AMAZING guest posts lined up through next Wednesday that I hope you all will come back and check out.

Until then...j'espère que vous avez une bonne semaine! bisous.

where should I go in Europe?

I don't usually post on a Saturday, but today I need all of your help!

I'm jet setting to France in a few weeks to visit one of my best friends who is living there. We met while studying abroad, and it was love at first macaron. She is now teaching in Dijon, about two hours south east of Paris, and we are going to do a little European vacation in February.

I'll be flying into Paris, and after visiting her in Dijon for two days, we want to go somewhere else. Now why is this a dilemma?? So many beautiful places to go in Europe...well...I had my heart set on Morocco.

Like seriously set. Remember this old post?

Yeah. Well, two girls alone in morocco + limited budget = not the smartest idea.

Sigh.

While I'm still recovering from the fact that I won't be getting lost in the souks anytime soon, my brain is filled with wonderment as I think of where I want to go. Right now our #1 pick is Portugal! We've heard so many lovely things about it, and I think it would be the warmest place to go in February.

Look at this beauty.

 Spotted: Palm trees! Major plus.

Here is the dilemma -- is there anywhere else we HAVE to go to, no questions asked?? I've been to the following places in Europe, and would like to try a new place.

• England
• Scotland
• France
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• Spain
• Czech Republic
• Austria
• Switzerland

My other ideas of places to go:

1. Sweden
2. Denmark
3. Brussels
4. Luxembourg
5. Germany

Help!! Where have you lovely readers traveled to? Or heard fabulous things about?? I'm desperately needing help with this planning! 

xo

weekend recap: dallas edition

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had as fantastic a weekend as I did. I was in Dallas for a very special Christmas party, and I was able to see all my college besties, eat too much good food, and drink too much wine. It was great to get back to a city I fell in love with, and to enjoy warmer temperatures.

I started off by having lunch with my old co-worker from the Bush Center, and was able to see all the construction progress since I left -- wow! I was the marketing intern during my Senior year, and I'm in awe of all the progress. Such a joy to watch the center be built from the ground up.

Here is a picture of the hard hats that you have to wear when walking on the grounds. Fun Fact: my grandpa was CEO of the company that made them! Small world.

Friday night I ate at Tillman's (as discussed on Friday's post), and it was heavenly. I had truffled goat cheese tater tots (yes, they exist), and their burger. I'm still drooling over it. The decor was jazzed up a bit with Christmas ornaments - so pretty!

Saturday, I had lunch with my bestie and former boss, Emily. We ate at our favorite place - Coal Vines, where apparently Khloe and Lamar had recently dined at. Damn, we missed them. We enjoyed too much wine, and caught up. It was so great to see her. I miss her. Sigh.

After an afternoon of shopping at North Park -- which was NUTS, I put on my best for a special Christmas Tea at a very special location (with Godiva Truffles in hand). The hosts gave us special Cornbread mix and jam from Crawford, Texas -- can't wait to make this over Christmas!

I ended the weekend with my girlfriends at a Wine Bar in the West Village. We each had a flight of wine (and then some), and some of the best fondue ever.

As you can see, my weekend revolved around seeing best friends, indulging in Texas cuisines, and drinking too much wine -- all things that I love in this world.

How did you all spend your weekend? I leave you with some of the most insane Christmas lights I've ever seen.

This is all the same house in Dallas. Can you believe it?? It's all synched to music, too.