This Journey is Coming to a Close:

From here.

I'm thoroughly convinced that everyone has a sob story to tell about how difficult their life has been... and mine would most definitely fall flat in comparison to many who have faced much greater odds and much more adversity, only to accomplish much more than I have thus far in my life. Because of this, I am not going to recount the sordid tale of my past in an attempt to persuade you to participate in any sort of pity party on my behalf... but I will say that these past four years have been very difficult for me.

And therefore, I find no greater pleasure than to stroll into beautiful Leconte Hall for academic advisement to have a man with glasses and some snide comments about Sarah Palin (oh history majors... so liberal... so awesome!) to hand me a sheet of paper stating that I am a mere 9 credit hours from graduating from the University of Georgia.

I've almost done it... I've financially and emotionally put myself through college (almost). Yes, there was some major assistance from some awesome aunts, friends, and sisters (on the emotional end, anyways), so they definitely deserve some major props for being so amazing and wonderful!

The point is: I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I cannot wait to really start my life! It's going to be great. ;)

My Biggest Musician Crush:

It's gotta be this guy:

From here.

From here.

Mmmmm... Tim Kasher. Every picture I see of this guy looks different! He waxes and wanes between a slight scruff and a full-on I've-been-in-the-woods-for-far-too-long-eating-granola-and-such beard. Until it reaches Sasquatch proportions, I'm totally down though.

Facial hair aside, the man's voice is heaven and his song-writing skills are so far beyond anything that I can even fathom, I'm left stupefied and in awe after nearly every lyric I come across. I know he was raised Catholic, so there's one thing we have in common! Woot! Bad news though: his ex-wife and the subject matter of over an entire album happens to be named Kim. Shit.

His stuff with Cursive begs the question, "He's gotta be atheist, or at least apathetic, right?" His stuff with The Good Life makes me want to tell him that I've been there too, then basically proceed to tear off all of his clothes. He's just that yummy.

What I would give to pick this man's brain... Wow. Even though, knowing me, I'd be at a complete loss for words if I were actually able to meet him and end up looking like a crazed middle-schooler with a crush. One thing's for certain: I'd be telling him that I go by 'Julie'. Ha!

Here's a video of him in a silly cowboy hat being the wondrous musician that he is:



Sorry, Chris, but I'd totally leave you for this voice. :/

Etsy Shop of the Week:

Wow. Etsy's Pounce feature strikes again with another glorious find! Shop Enfin, La Voila makes beautiful notecards... and here are a few of my favorites from this Belgian seller:











Absolutely amazing. There are also some gorgeous custom wedding invitations too! I love all of it.

Reason #815 Why I Love My Job:

I brought Lily to work with me this afternoon! She is currently under my desk eating a bone and chilling out. :)

Pest control was coming to my apartment today, and she does not do well with strange men. She's terrified. Also, I didn't want her to potentially lick the fresh chemicals that would be sprayed...

So I brought her to work with me and Chris will come to pick her up when he gets out of class this afternoon! She is always such a well-behaved lady when she comes to work with me, and today has been no different thus far. What a great little dog I have! (And a great job that let's me bring her in situations such as this!)

Also, she was wonderful on the walk over here despite the buses and dump trucks that passed us! This is a huge step for her since she has always been crippled by fear in these types of situations... it's great to see her finally becoming a normal, well-adjusted pup in every way! It makes me feel like I've really made a great new life for her, and I couldn't feel more fulfilled by the fact that I've been able to provide this for such an adorable, loving doggie!

Rescue dogs are the best dogs! Opt to adopt!

How Chic:

This is so classic and wonderful... I want to be this woman.

From here.

A classic bike, a chic outfit, a cool, crisp day in the city... how amazing.

Design Inspiration:

So my Domino decorating book came in today! Wahoo! The biggest surprise: the book comes with a free year's subscription to Domino, the magazine! Yay! I'm so excited to see more awesome rooms to hopefully inspire me. It's a great deal for $25!

The book is not only filled with beautiful photos, it is a great how-to with a breakdown of types and terms of everything from drapes to the legs of couches.

One of the great ideas that I can't wait to try: Framing wallpaper as art. Since wallpaper is back in style nowadays, there are some really great prints out there that would be beautiful.

From here.

From here.

From here.

I have found that I am so picky about art, this could be a really great (and inexpensive) remedy to my pickiness! It's such a great way to stylishly fill a large space.

Totally Satisfied Customer:

Like I hinted at a couple of days ago, I got some ink done last night. I'm going through an internal struggle about anonymity and thus, don't know whether or not I will be sharing pictures. (This is my second tattoo for those of you who don't know me!)

I will however, highly recommend Radar (formerly of Pain & Wonder). He just opened up his very own shop called Walk the Line right on Broad Street in the heart of downtown Athens. He was somehow able to give me exactly what I wanted even though I wasn't even sure of what that was. I was terrified that I would nit-pick the design to death, but the moment I saw it I knew that it was perfect and it is absolutely beautiful.

And as a side note: the ribs hurt like a bitch and I'm in some serious pain today.

Your History Lesson for the Day:

If you're concerned about the economy and the financial crisis, read up on the New Deal before you make a decision about which presidential candidate has the more promising plan of attack.

It seems like common sense to me: do something similar to what we did last time we were in this mess. It worked then, with a little tweaking it can work now.

Oh Me, Oh My:

I am feeling very overwhelmed this week. Yeah.

Work has been incredibly hectic.
Last week's illness continues to linger.
Teaching myself French is nothing short of daunting.
There is so much work to be done for this senior thesis.
I feel like I'm neglecting my pups.

In an attempt to make sense of everything, I've resumed making insanely detailed To-Do lists. However, this only 50% helps me to tackle every task one by one and 50% furthers my intense feelings of being overwhelmed due to it's frightening length.

Hopefully things will ease up once I finish my partial draft for my thesis in two weeks...

Me Wants:

From here.

From here.

Awesome.

Soon to Adorn My Coffee Table:

Okay, I went a little out of control with some online shopping this past week... but lookie what will be in my mailbox in a few days:


Oh yes. I am super excited.

(This will be the first of the nice, over-sized, hardcover books that will be my coffee table art... I feel like I should find some less predictable things to adorn this space as well, solely because of The Format line: "Four books look across your sofa, I thought your coffee table was more clever than that.")

Best Relationship Advice I've Ever Heard:

Yup. Extreme. I went there.