This Week's Top Top Top

VOGUE // EARRINGS // TIE DYE PANTS 

1. WOW, does Adam from Girls look hot holding that sheep-er-goat-thing? Perhaps it is because he is caught in a moment when he is not doing that crazy stuff his character is known for? I am into it. Thank Vogue for this one.

2. What do we think about these earring for the wedding? I am 1 week and 1 month out (cannot believe that) and I need to make some decisions about a lot of these little details. I like that they are glamorous, unique, New Mexico-y, thanks to the turquoise - kind of a modern art deco spin - no?

3. My close friends know me as some kind of wacky pants hoarder. These pants are def no different. Ahhhh, grown up tie dye makes my heart flutter.

4. That quote is the true-true (anyone seen the movie I am referencing here? so annoying, but so sticky - I say it all the time despite my best efforts). People that have goodness from their insides to their outsides show their passion and honesty in their work. And that work is basically the best work because of that honesty resonates with other people who are present. I strive to do this.

5. House decor question: how do you feel about me painting my interior doors black? Our old house has some pretty amazing crown molding and the black (like in the pictures above) really highlights the molding details. Brad's dragging his feet, but I am in LOVE.

General Life Updates

• We got a tenant! She moves in this weekend and we are STOKED. I hope she likes us... We busted our butts and our wallets getting that thing ready for full time inhabitants. I have learned more about electrical grids and circuits this week then ever before. How practical, right?
• RSVP cards are rolling in for our big day! Ever day brings it's surprises. It is interesting to see who comes and who does not. The good news: Brad, my bridesmaids, wedding party, family and various close friends will be there if they can. The rest is just semantics. 
• The house is in a good place as far as design is concerned. I like where we are and feel like we can comfortably relax until after the wedding. No more major changes, but definitely some small improvements that will help. For example, why would they not install a light fixture in the stair well? That is just dangerous. Now I have an electrician and will get that situation remedied stat. Grown. Up. Things.
• #kanyesworkoutplan (follow me on Instagram! @aftonybalogna) is going well. I am definitely firmer. Just need to lean out. I am thinking a juice cleanse is in my near future. Sorry in advance, Brad. Blue Print Cleanse for life. Anyone else want to do it?

Over and out.

Going to leave you with this little gem.

My TOP TOP TOP: Boots, Shades, Cuffs, Nighties, Chairs, Etc.

Banana Leaf Wallpaper // Shades // Copper Light Fixture // Giuseppe Zanotti Gold Vertebrae Cuff // Tory Burch Boots // 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target PJ Set // Amazing Vintage Chair

Here is a quick installment of my new weekly blog post "MY TOP TOP TOP" aka Can't Stop, Won't Stop aka High Five (or six, seven, whatever)... For those of you that get the name, forgive me, I could not help myself.

1. How amazing is that Banana Leaf Wallpaper? I am dying to have it in my dining room! Is it going to be out? Or timeless? Discuss.

2. Those shades are either going to look totally awesome or totally insane. Either way they are from ASOS.com and cost me about $12, so who cares, thank you very much fast fashion.

3. That light fixture is making me feel all tingly inside. Do you thing the proportions are as adorable in real life? Also, who'd of thought that you can order a $12,000 copper bathtub? Michael Bloomberg, ya'll. Because the super rich do not have enough ways to distinguish themselves from us plebeians.  

4. Giuseppe Zanotti has hit the nail on the head with this macabre cuff. I love that it is vertebrae! They say  it is spikes, but get real. We all know what it really is. And we love it.

5. The IT shoe of the upcoming fall season are black ankle boots. The majority in high fashion mags are by Celine, at right, and have tremendously tall heels, but these bad boys are both practically heeled and adorable. Plus a quarter of the price, although still not-so-cheap. 

6. 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target is hitting stores everywhere on September 15, 2013! Run, don't walk to your nearest Target at 10 am that morning. Better yet, be safe and go early. I thought this little PJ set was too cute. What a good gift!

7. This amazing vintage chair is one of those fabulous, but totally ridiculous Pinterest finds. You love it. You want it... It exists no where in real life. Thanks a lot. (PS. Follow me on Pinterest here)

PPS. Know of anyone that needs a place to live? We are renting our garage apartment to only the best and the brightest that Houston has to offer. Check out our Craigslist listing here.

Closet, Wedding, & Bachelorette Party Confessions

Hello friends, long time no talk! As always this post will begin with an apology about the extended period of radio silence that this blog has endured. Life has been busy in the best kind of ways and we are loving every minute of it. Finally settling into the new house has made all the difference in our mental health. 

First and foremost, I bought some amazing things on ASOS.com today that need to be shared. The ASOS Collection items are so wonderful and I honestly can say that they are relatively high quality for such affordable prices (as compared to Zara or H&M). PS - Have you heard that H&M is online now? Of course you have. Any-who  I am loving these two blouses for work or going out. Buy them here and here right now and in every color. I also bought two bikinis for ladies with a lot going on up top. These will be absolutely fab on our honeymoon. I am really excited that we changed from Santa Fe to Miami. Neither one of us has ever been there and we thought what the heck? let's try it. Hurricane-shmurricane... Gladly out hotels and flights are refundable, just in case. Has anyone been to South Beach or stayed at the Shore Club? It seemed to have the best reviews online. Please send me any and all recs ASAP. Thx. Buy the bikinis here and here.

Life has been really going in a really great way lately. We welcomed friends into our garage apartment while they renovate their home down the street, we planted lots of flowers, we sodded our yard (ourselves! so.much.work.), we installed a new dining room light fixture (much better - thanks CB2!) and lots more. 

Most notably is the fact that all wedding invites are out and people are audibly excited. It feels SO REAL. For months it has seems so far in the distant future and now it is HERE. We are thrilled to get the celebrations underway. I have a mountain of thank you notes to write and tons of practical new kitchen gadgets to find a home for. I also have been working out really hard because at 90 days out and now at less than 60 days out I realized how serious it is for me to get my skinny hat on. I have been doing the Advocare 24 day challenge and it has been ok. It is very supplement and mystery powder heavy (ever see someone drink a Spark? that is this company). I like it overall, but at day 10 I am kinda sick of it. In my head I alternate between slow chanting "10 MORE POUNDS" and "CUPCAKES. FRENCH FRIES. RED WINE." So, as you can imagine it's going ok.

Wedding wise all we have to do is pick the songs for the band, the Salamanders. And fill out our preacher paperwork. And order gifts for our wedding party. And order party favors. And schedule bridal portraits. And finalize the menu... WOW, we have a lot more to do.

Last but not least my older sister, Brooke, threw the most amazing bachelorette party EVER for me in NOLA last month. We had so much ridiculous fun. There was a horse head, strip clubs, Cajun foods, palm readers, revolting hangovers, Canadian bachelor parties, pool party time, lingerie time, nipple tassels, shopping, naps, love in da club, late night pizza, a trash shark, custom t-shirts... The list really goes on! I loved every single minute. Lets just say the ladies at the Penthouse off of Bourbon are like naked Cirque de Soleil acrobats that smell like sunshine or the car wash and make several dollars a second. It was insanity. K, bye for now.

PPS. Houston people, don't forget about Restaurant Month!