Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I'm telling you a secret

I am about to share with you one of my most beloved and guarded secrets.

and this is ONLY because you have the graciousness to amuse me by reading this blog.

here it goes

Anthropologie puts it's stuff on sale on Tuesday mornings.  There!  I said it.


every Tuesday morning I remember this sweet fact and it's like Christmas morning...that you have to pay for but still!

It's not that I buy something every week but it's just really nice to know that it's happening.  Like minor holidays that you don't necessarily celebrate, but like to know that they're going on (here's looking at you President's Day and Columbus Day)

Imagine with me for a second: what if there was a National Anthropologie Day? We could all wear sweaters with buttons and vintage skirts.  Children would have assemblies at school where they would learn how to spell using polka dot and paisley fabric covered letters. Everybody would be required to wear either long dangly earrings or a chunky necklace and the whole world would smell like those big blue candles they sell!

So wait...what were we talking about again?  Oh yeah...the secret Tuesday sale.  Point is....what was my point exactly?  Sorry I was looking at their website so anyway....treat yo self is basically what I'm saying here.

(If next Tuesday everything sells out before my weekly check....I'm blaming every single one of you.)

ALSO one more (less selfish) secret to share!  There is this amazing website called sevenly.org and they design a T shirt each week for a different charitable cause and SEVEN (sensing a theme here?) dollars from each purchase goes to the charity that the design is for!  Each design/charity is around for ONE WEEK only.  It will tell you about the organization and what inspired the design.  I'm completely obsessed with this cause so head on over to sevenly.org RIGHT NOW to purchase your tee and make sure to read all about the organization here. This week they are bringing back one of their most popular designs each day for the "Sevenly Seven Days of Christmas" so don't miss out!

xoxo

Tuesday, November 29, 2011


Monday, November 28, 2011

Weekend Collage - Thanksgiving Through Instagram

Instead of doing my usual Weekend Collage I thought I would share my Thanksgiving week with you all!!





Sis and Bub


Patiently waiting for dinner to be ready

Colt was ready for dinner to be ready too....

He's acting like he doesn't know we're in love

Little Bro and his "zombie eyes"

The famous turkey hat.  In our family...you must wear this hat as you tell 
everyone what you are grateful for.  Jealous?

Cranberry salad!  I made it so you know it was good...

Love me some cranberry sauce...

The BEST Greek cookies to ever exist

More zombie eyes...and the cutest scarf ever that my BFF Jen sent to me 
for my birthday

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a fabulous day of food, family, friends, football, and fun!  
I got a bad case of the stomach flu right before the big day so I didn't enjoy the 
food as much as I have in years past but oh well...there's always Christmas!

Then I had to work 8am - 6pm on Black Friday which was a nightmare.
You would not believe the craziness that happens.  It's like Armageddon.

And now Christmas season is in full swing and I couldn't be happier!  My very favorite time
of year!!!  

xoxo

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday

Black Friday is truly the only day darker than the day the Casey Anthony trial verdict was read.

I think I have post traumatic stress syndrome.

I'll be back Monday after I've gone to see a therapist.


xoxo

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011


  1. The National - Lucky You
  2. Jillian Edwards - Songbird
  3. Ok Sweetheart - Safe
  4. Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
  5. Train - Drops Of Jupiter
  6. Fleetwood Mac - Gold Dust Woman
  7. Florence + The Machine - Only If For A Night
  8. Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be
  9. Kate York - Begin You
  10. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
  11. Olin & The Moon - Not In Love
  12. Needtobreathe - Maybe They're On to Us
  13. The Fray - Hundred

Monday, November 21, 2011

Weekend Collage

my weekend

my weekend by vanessanelson featuring cluster drop earrings

I had a fantastic weekend!  I worked  (boo) but my family from Kentucky came to visit (yay!) and we had so much fun.  I'm so so grateful for wonderful family, friends, and YOU.

How was your weekend?
xoxo

Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday Letters

Dear Teen Mom 2 promos,
Watching Janelle sitting on her lawn with all her belongings around her embodies everything I'm feeling.
Sincerely,
Vanessa

Dear the word "frugal",
You give me the dry heaves.  Mostly because I don't want to be.
Sorry Mom.
Vanessa

Dear Diet Coke,
Our love has never been easy. Sorry for breaking up with you and then coming back just like your girlfriend in high school.  It wasn't you it was me.  I was just trying to "figure myself out".  I've always loved you.  There was never a day that went by that I didn't think of you.
I really do love you.  Forever.  For real this time.
Love,
Vanessa

Dear hippie mustache man who told me I was "stunning",
Being complimented by a bearded man who doesn't believe in social norms like showering.....has always been on my bucket list.
Thank you,
Vanessa

Dear first snowfall,
You are very pretty.  Until tomorrow morning....just like that girl that you probably shouldn't have brought home.
Regards,
Vanessa

Dear Readers,
I hope you have a fantastic weekend and if I forget to say it next week....HAPPY THANKSGIVING (to my U.S. readers....if you live anywhere else....HAPPY RANDOM THURSDAY!!!)
xoxo,
Vanessa

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thursday Ten

Simple but pretty


June and Johnny Cash - beautiful

Central Park - NYC

Peach/Champagne Sapphire....yes.

love

Kneader's Raspberry Bread Pudding - recipe here


With a cute cardigan and some great tights (have I mentioned I'm OBSESSED with tights right now??)

so pretty


Jillian Edwards - Songbird....beautiful

What are some of your favorites right now???
xoxo

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

my life according to my picture phone

So since I really don't have anything special to update you on I thought I would share some pictures that I took recently on my phone.

Pictures from the celebration for my Dad's work...

 The display hanging from the ceiling in the front entry of the museum...it's gorgeous!

 Our dinner was YUM

Dessert bar...served mini chocolate chip cookies with a shot of chocolate milk.  Adorbs right???

 Some more of the dessert bar....with open flames!

I was clearly obsessed with this display...

 Floral arrangements with Runts?  Yes.

One of the exhibits....Human Rights Photographers...it was a BEAUTIFUL and at times heartbreaking exhibit.  

I also took some hipster "Instagram" photos....


Me with my friends Maggie and Jenna at our friend Morgan's baby shower

 My dog...Colt


I wore milkmaid braids...it was a weird day


I'm clearly very mature and classy

So that's what's been going on in my life lately.  
Also I'm curious to know if you guys have a favorite post or something on the blog you like/don't like?  My comment section is open to suggestion and high fives.  Let me know!!!
xoxo