audioLOVE : September 2011

Dear World,

I know it's a little early to be putting in my requests, but all I want for Christmas is a whole week with nothing to do. I'd even compromise and still drag my butt into work Tuesday thru Friday, so long as I could have free evenings and a totally empty Saturday thru Monday. If you could please find some way to make that happen, I would really, really appreciate it.

Love,
Sara

...

OK, but seriously, I feel like I've been so busy that I'm not really sure if I'm coming or going anymore. But at least I can say I've been enjoying myself! Between work, family commitments, traveling, weddings, camping, etc., these last few months have been a blast. Unfortunately, this poor little blog is being sorely neglected in the process. I'll return to you with my whole heart some day, my love!

But thankfully for your ears, I'm never too busy to post a playlist!

I think the eclectic nature of this playlist is a testament to everywhere my mind (and body) has been this month. From a crazy dance party in San Diego to a Kansas City day trip with my bestie to a bluegrass festival in Winfield, everywhere I've been this month has certainly influenced what I've listened to. So as schizophrenic as it might seem, this little list is my hectic month in a nutshell. Enjoy!

California by iPhone

I know I got back from California a couple of weeks ago, but I still need to edit all of the photos I took on my cameras (yes, two). Shocking. I do, however, have a few photos I took on my iPhone, using either Instagram or PictureShow that I thought I'd share.

Now if I could just figure out how to get back to California permanently ...

By air

Overlooking Torrey Pines State Beach

Wind boarders at Tourmaline Surf Park Beach

Hennessey's famous Vodka Lemonade

Amazing salad at the wedding reception

Outside of Fred's in Old Town, where we spent two evenings in a row

Schooners all around at The Boardwalk in Mission Beach

Fab Coconut Porter at Sneak Joint in Mission Beach

Awards at South Coast Winery in Temecula

At South Coast Winery



Ana Tijoux at the House of Blues in downtown San Diego



Congrats! and What I Wore

Congrats, Holly! I'll be contacting you shortly to get your info so I can send you your new bag. I hope you love it as much as I love mine! And thanks to everyone who entered or helped spread the word about my first giveaway ... I wish I could send something to everyone!

Now on to more sartorial matters ...

Jacket: Forever 21 // Top: Target // Belt: Charlotte Russe (??) // Pants: Target // Shoes: Steve Madden // Peridot Earrings and Necklace: Gifts from my dad // Faux Peridot Bracelet: Gift from Marcus' aunt // Faux Pearl Cluster Ring: F21

You'll have to pardon my slightly disheveled appearance, as these photos were taken after a 10 hour work day AND post-work drinks with my newly-retired dad (cue Napoleon Dynamite saying "Lucky!" in my head ...). But messy hair and well-worn makeup aside, this might be my new favorite office look. It's grown up and office-appropriate, but still a little funky. Just how I like it!

I decided recently that I really need to step up my fashion game at the office. I've started to rely too heavily on the casual side of business casual, which I just don't find acceptable for a woman of 27 trying to advance her career. Not that this outfit is going to get me a promotion, but it's at least a step up from my tired old khakis and leopard print flats (don't take it personally, flats, I still love you!). So if all goes according to plan, you may start to get more peeks into my work wardrobe. Hopefully.

Giveaway Time!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! I know I said I'd pick a winner today (Monday), but looks like it'll be tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Yes, that's right! It's time for my very first giveaway! Since I've hit over 100 followers on Google Friend Connect, I wanted to show my sincere thanks and appreciation for all of you that have decided I'm cool enough to be "followed". I know I haven't been very good lately at posting all that often, but I hope this helps make up for that, even if just a little bit.

This amazing canvas and leather backpack from NYC's HangaBag is one I own myself. Well, I actually own two of them -- I received two for my birthday several weeks ago (lucky me!). Instead of sending one back, I decided I wanted to share one of these beauties with one of you! The bag, which retails at $64, is extremely well crafted with high-quality materials, and is perfect for bike rides to the park, day trips, or every day use. I'm seriously in love, and I hope you will be, too!

THE GIVEAWAY IS OPEN FROM NOW UNTIL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 AT 11:59 P.M.

But of course, there are a few rules ...

• To enter, leave a comment on this post and tell me a little bit about your favorite bag.
• You must be a follower of the blog, but it does not have to be via GFC. Just tell me how you follow (GFC, Blog Lovin', Google Reader, etc.) in your comment.
• You can earn an extra entry by tweeting about the giveaway. Your tweet must contain a link back to this post, as well as mention @sarakate5 (my Twitter account), and then you will need to leave a second comment with your Twitter name to let me know.
• You can also earn an extra entry by blogging about the giveaway. Your blog post must contain a link back to this post, and then you will need to leave a second (or third) comment with the link to your own blog post.
• The giveaway is open to any reader around the world! Woo hoo!

And that's it! I'll be picking a winner on Monday, September 19. Tell all your friends, and good luck! :)

Side note -- This post will remain at the top of the page until the giveaway has closed. In the meantime, all new blogposts will be seen underneath this one.

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RESOURCES:
Bag Photos - HangaBag Etsy
Fabric Labels and Photo Template - Pugly Pixel
Patagonia Font - Font Squirrel

Tijuana Bass

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know that I spent the past week in sunny San Diego. I hope to get around to editing/posting pictures sometime soon, but in the meantime, I want to share a band we got to see on our last night in town. Tuesday evening, we wandered from our home-away-from-home in Pacific Beach into downtown San Diego for a Latin music show at the House of Blues. Marcus and I didn't know much about the bands that were playing, but we're always down for a fun Latin show, so we naturally jumped at the invite from his cousin.

The lineup for the night included Nortec Collective (or more specifically, Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible), Ana Tijoux, and Los Amigos Invisibles. Marcus had listened to some of Ana Tijoux's stuff, and it would later turn out that I have a little bit of Los Amigos Invisibles on my iPod, so we were both at least vaguely familiar with their music, but Nortec Collective was a total surprise. And what a happy surprise they were! They're a crazy combination of Norteño and Techno (hence their name), and we didn't stop dancing the entire time they were on stage. The other two acts were great, but I think I would have happily paid the entrance fee just to see Nortec alone. Seeing a group of guys decked out in traditional Norteño gear (that isn't a photo of them, but you get the idea), playing along side a couple of iPad-playing DJs is definitely a trip. If they're in your area, you need to go see them. You won't regret it!

Quick Clicks : 09|05|11

I have no earthly idea what is going on with my eyebrows in this photo. I can assure you that I don't have one pointy one and one non-pointy one. Or at least I don't think I do ...

♥ This amazing amateur-built log cabin is just down the road from me at Lake Wabaunsee, Kansas. My family used to have a cabin at Lake Wabaunsee, too, but it didn't look anything like this. I'd be first in line if they turned this into a rental!

♥ Speaking of sights just down my road ... I'm pretty ashamed that I've never made a visit to Hammerpress in KC. I know exactly where it is, and have driven past numerous times, I've just never stopped to take a look. But luckily for those of you that don't live nearby, Hello!Lucky recently stopped in, and snapped a few photos of their trip.

♥ I know that Kreayshawn is ridiculous, but I can't stop singing this song.

♥ Daniel Kornfumpf embroidery skills blow everyone else's out of the water. The detail is unreal!

♥ I got a HUGE chuckle out of Sarah's traveling gnome photos. Aside from reminding me of Amelie, it also reminds me of a commercial from when I was a kid (Anyone remember what it would have been for? This was before Travelocity, mind you.) that inspired my neighbor friends and I to have a similarly-themed photo shoot ... with a pair of shoes. Hey, we were kids!