Musical Musings: What's on Repeat Now - Passenger

The lyrics in the British folk rock band, Passenger's song "Let Her Go" really resonate with me. Why is it always the case that you do not know what you had until it's gone? The grass is always greener they say. Generally, I guess this statement is true, but I also believe it is some sort of weird brain-mind trick. For example, I can actively talk myself out of feeling this way because I know that you only remember the good parts, never the bad. Why? Because the human brain is a weird-amazing thing.

Can we just discuss the sweet, authentic sound of his voice? When it comes on the radio, I sing along even though I make a horrible, croak of a sound. 

"...And you let her go..." Such a jam!

Loving This Now: Tom Dixon Mirror Ball, Striped Flats, Meg Biram & More!

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{all of these + more are located on my Pinterest here}

Today I started my new job as a project manager at Safal Partners working mainly on the federal grant with the  Department of Education supporting the National Charter School Resource Center. It is a complete 180 degree shift from where I was working. From the for profit life of an in-house marketing/biz dev director at Laura U Interior Design to a full time consultant... My head is spinning, but I am grateful. Let me tell you why I love the nonprofit sector: the collaborative nature that is a part of people that work in education reform is unmatched by any sector I have ever worked in. The championing of each person in their space for one another is SO REFRESHING. I am so glad to be back. 

The shift was extremely sudden. I got the call the Monday one week after we returned from our Maui honeymoon and they made me an offer immediately, over the phone, without even meeting me. It was insane! That being said, what was meant to be would be. After only two days of negotiation and personal reflection I accepted the offer and my last day at Laura U was last Thursday. I spent Friday working for Safal and on our home (check Instagram for pictures @aftonybailygriffin) - more to come on our house - and spent the weekend catching up with friends.  

I am exhausted writing this, but in the best way possible. Life is good. I want to leave you with my favorite song that got me through all of the housework, on repeat, mixed with Burn by Ellie Golding, of course:


P.S. Number 3 above is a pin from interior designer Meg Biram. She is super talented and her blog is chock full (weird saying, right? what does chock mean anyways?) of excellent home good selections.

Fashion Fix: What to Buy NOW - Fall/Winter 2013 Must Haves

Top Three: 3.1 Philip Lim Boots, H&M Paris Show Leather Vest (sold out online, got mine on eBay here), XL Oversized Hair on Hide Clutch

VEST: I stumbled across that H&M vest in the September Vogue (yes, I am just now reading that - things have been nuts!) and instantly ripped out the page it was on. Living in Houston plus being aggressively hot natured, vests are my jam when it comes to winter time layering. So, when I found out that it was sold out online I did what any smart girl does and turned to eBay for one to be Fedex'd direct from Budapest. Thank you, internet! 

BOOTS: Those over the knee boots are so fabulous. That cognac leather has my name all over it. That behind the knee strap is the best! Maybe some day... 

CLUTCH: I had lunch with a mentor/friend today and she was carrying this fabulous leopard, hair on hide clutch. I nearly choked on my salad when she said it was from Etsy! So, immediately I got online and ordered myself one. It looks just like the Claire Vivier one only for a fraction of the cost.  

BONUS BUY: Zara Marbled Crop Top - Do you have the body to rock this? Then please do! I love this look and wish that if I was a perfect figured lady. I would totally wear this. Love how Zara styled it with the high wasted, tea length skirt. Not too much skin. Perfect.

How to Style Selections: Zara Angora Striped Sweater, Paige High Wasted Black Jeans

Sweater: Believe it or not, angora sweaters AND turtlenecks are in (See the Stella McCartney show, if you do not believe me). I have not bought in just yet (it's nearly 80 degrees outside here today), but who knows? Maybe someday. Plus, what kind of fashion blogger would I be if I did not keep you in the know? Answer: A crap one. 

Jeans: Black jeans do not need an intro, they are just a staple for me and hopefully for you too. The high wasted makes them flattering and they are perfect for putting under boots and tunics.  

Butters the cat

The Latest

We were home and last weekend was glorious! We unpacked and organized wedding gifts, wrote 34 thank you notes, mowed the lawn, weeded, went to church, went to Rev... And then some. The weather was so crisp and Butters, the mere cat, was really enjoying the view from our second floor, open window. He's the best. 

Very spooky!

We also decorated our house for Halloween. It was so fun! I think we might actually have trick-or-treaters this year! Fingers crossed because I bought five 12 pound bags of candies. Whoopsies. Happy Halloween!

BONUS TRACK: For your drive home with the windows down. Just do it. 

Tegan and Sara - Closer (Official Music Video) from Tegan and Sara on Vimeo.

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Friday Funny Haha: New P'Trique, Brides Throwing Cats + Miley Cyrus

"Do you like my neck purse?" I am dying. 

I am so glad that P'trique is back with some new web content. His portrayal of the fashion obsessed is spot on. It is a kind of embarrassing foil for what I sound like when I talk about designer things. Only more bearded. 

My favorite videos of P'trique's: Part One, Part Two.

Brides Throwing Cats is pretty much my favorite new Tumblr site. I love cats and by no means endorse the throwing of them, but by replacing the flowers with the cat it makes for some seriously funny shots. The aggressive women in the crowd are definitely my favorite choice. Also, some of their outfit selections as well. See more here. 

PS. I am pretty sure this is the same venue my friend got married at in Austin earlier this year. It was gorgeous!

this is how her stylist actually dresses

Some of you may think that I have lost my mind, but I am really into the two Miley singles that are out right now and am actually toying with downloading the entire album. After watching Miley: the Movement on MTV (yes, I will admit it) I admire her... Her tenacity. This entire thing was a ploy and we took it: hook, line, sinker. From a sheer branding/marketing perspective, I have to say bravo, girl. You played us so hard. 

Before I ever saw the documentary (more like well glossed propaganda piece, but whatever, props none the less) I ran across this article by her stylist on Nymag.com - Ratchet is Dead: Inside the Mind of a Miley Cyrus Stylist.

Via StyleLikeU

Some big changes are coming my way in the next week. Yes, even bigger changes than the wedding and the purchase of a house... My friend, Carolyn, said it best last night, "I thought you had already done all of the most stressful things a person can do in a year - now  you've added more!" Like the image, I am constantly in beta. Always striving, trying, wanting more. It's just who I am.

I will be able to go into more detail about what is going on next week. It it all good, thankfully. In the meantime please send one out to the Universe for me to transition through this smoothly. Thanks, frands.

Musical Musings: Zedd ft. Hayley Williams

This songs on repeat in my brain and in my Rev class (Live in Houston? Like to sweat? Run, don't walk to Define for a Rev class - Houston's Soul Cycle). 

I love the visuals in the video too. Pretty arresting. 

Funny Haha: Happy Friday!

Oh, Instagram! I am so guilty of the cat, cat, cat, nails, nails, nails. I also add a dash of airport, airport, airport, Brad, Brad, Brad. I'll try to spice it up more.

What to Wear This Friday Night: TX OU Edition

Despite just returning from Hawaii on Sunday, Brad and I are booked on the 6pm SWA direct flight for Dallas for his first and my 15th (holy cow!) TX-OU weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with this spectacular event let me show you the ropes. UT and OU play every fall at the Cottonbowl in Dallas on what is considered neutral ground. The event is called the Red River Shoot Out because that is what separates us from the Okies on the north Texas border. Plus the river runs red with the defeated's blood, jk, that is just what they tell the kiddos. The Cottonbowl sits in the middle of the annual Texas State Fair, so you get two amazing things: college football & the fair!!!

Anywho, it is one big party weekend in Dallas and my entire paternal family attends. My dad played football at OU and raised us as Sooners, but the first chance Brooke, my older sister, and I got we went straight down to Austin to the University of Texas. And thus, a family rivalry was born. Fueled by Fletcher's Corn Dogs, beers in wax cups, fried Oreo's, and a solid mid-day drunk. Can't wait to initiate the Notorious B-Rad-G! Kick off is at 11 am at TX is supposed to get killed. Thank God for a solid State Fair to make it all alright.

A fan of either school? Read these two letters sent from the UT university newspaper, the Daily Texan, to the OU Oklahoma Daily. The trash talk is truly hilarious. 

• TX to OU
• OU to TX

The tradition is kicked off with a fancy dinner the Friday before. Above is what I am planning on wearing. But, I need your help: trendy monochromatic purse that matches (intentionally, of course) or the classic quilted Chanel (this is Dallas, after all)?   

Where to Buy: Karl Lagerfeld Blouse, T by Alexander Wang Skirt, Zara Earrings, Hermes Scarf, Zara Boots, Zara Purse, Chanel Purse 

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Musical Musings: Avett Brothers and Lissie + American Horror Story!

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The Avett Brothers will debut their newest album "Magpie and the Dandelion" on October 15, but lucky you! You can stream it live here courtesy of NPR's First Listen. I stumbled upon this band way back in 2009 at ACL. My friends and I had staked out a primo place in front of one of the main stages for the art punk trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. If you have never been privy to a marathon spot stake out at a music festival then let me break it down for you: someone must stay at the space ALL DAY. It's not so bad, but it takes a little strategy meeting with everyone. The Avett Brother's played at that magical point in the day where the heat breaks and the sun goes down (this was back when ACL was in early September and the temp + humidity was roaring). Their intimate, catchy lyrics stole my heart. They resonate with me still to this day. Check them out!

Live Stream Their New Album Here.

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Lissie is one of my favorite female artists of the last few years. Thank you Jordan Jeffus for the musical intro! Her cover of Pursuit of Happiness is epic, you need to hear this. Any who, she just released her new album, Back to Forever, on September 10th and I will be downloading it promptly. This guitar playing songstress is real life rock and roll.

Hear Lissie's New Single on Her New Album "Shameless" Here. 

This is totally debuting tonight! SO EXCITED!!!! 
{Don't watch this if you scare easily, Kate Thompson}

The Wedding Chronicles: "Bridal Portraits"

The most talented photographer in Houston, Julie Soefer, shot my bridal portraits the weekend before my wedding at the Hotel Derek. Thanks to her great relationship with the folks there we were able to salvage a planned outdoor, rainy day shoot by moving it indoors at this posh hotel. There are about a million more images that I am totally obsessed with. Click here to view them all.  

The incredibly talented Victoria Callaway did my make up and hair and truly made me feel like a princess-alebrity for the day. One more thing, the lovely Hotel Derek people said we could shoot there if they could have the rights to all the images. So, keep your eyes peeled for my face on their wedding page soon. Can you imagine? I love it.