july 4th: part 2

This post comes a little late, but I had such a fun fourth. Brad's house threw a party in the evening with loads of our good friends. I had just learned about the danger of grilling out, i.e. cancer causing carcinogens, but I enjoyed my thick, juicy cheeseburger all the same. Who cares if every now and then we ingest a little toxic pollutant in order to aptly celebrate our great nation's independence??

It really was a nice, low-key evening filled with beer and fireworks and red, white and blue. And I realized, I'm thankful. Even though I look at our society and shudder with the paths we're choosing, and the neglect for our bodies and so many other things I don't even want to delve into, I am grateful for our freedom because some countries don't even have that. God bless America.

july 4th: part 1

i love brad's reflection in the glass lid 

christmas ornaments still hanging 

 to me, this picture is "ralph lauren meets breakfast"

 spiders have been busy spinning webs...most likely in celebration of July 4th

The morning of July 4th was utterly relaxing. Brad made breakfast tacos, coffee and mimosas, and we were able to eat down by the lake. And play with the camera. The morning weather was so nice, and I never wanted it to leave.

Later that day, Brad's house threw a party for our friends. It was such a fun time, and I love that holidays are a reason to throw parties. I wish every weekend was a holiday. 

lakeside picnic

Brad and I took the camera out to have a picnic with us at Lakeside the other day. As you can tell, we are a little snap crazy, but it's just so cool! And we also know absolutely zero about working a camera! So we are trying to practice!

The weather in Dallas this past week has been unbelievable. It's cool enough to walk around and think you might be in someplace like California. I'm exceptionally thankful for this low temp because I'm more willing to walk outside...and stay outside. Lakeside was so peaceful, and it's such a change from what you normally see and do in Dallas. Partnered with a refreshingly "cold" evening, Brad and I were in heaven. We both agreed we should make it a more regular date on our calendars.

I wore a Vivienne Tam dress and some Zara see-through sparkle flats. I love this dress because the pattern and extra fabric reminds me of butterfly wings...and the effect of the Zara flats is so cool. Nude, with a hint of glitz, and see-through so that the nail-polish peeks through. 

sing loud

I love this song with all my heart (thanks to my roommate.) 

One listen and I was hooked. 

"i'll hold your hand til the colors fade

i'll be here til your dying day."

new camera

 the first picture

 tapas at Cafe Madrid

 spinach and manchego croquetas

 stud with a beer

 fried goat cheese with honey

 wild about harry's

 wild about harry's

 restoration hardware store window

 patrizios

This past weekend was chock-full of pain-filled and unwanted studying, but the bright shining star of it all was a surprise...a new camera. !!! I am thrilled to have something more "professional", and I have been testing it out on anything and everything. I was telling a friend that I think using the camera will help me to slow down and relish little moments. I am praying that's the case. 

We did dinner at Cafe Madrid and dessert at Wild About Harry's on Saturday night. Tapas+ice cream/custard makes everything better, and the fried goat cheese and croquetas completely melted my mouth and heart. On Sunday night, my college coach came in town, and we met her for dinner. Despite all the studying, I did manage to have some "weekend" moments, and boy am I grateful.