Hello, hello! I’ve been staying in a lot more, trying to enjoy this bit of calm before the storm and wrap up as many little things as possible before I head out to a design retreat next Thursday. I’m really excited about that but also just as excited to be rooming with my longtime friend Star — we’ve met up in cities across the U.S. but never vacationed together and I really can’t wait. She’s the one that first encouraged me to blog on my domain in 2007 and most recently coded up my redesign. LOVE her.

My birthday was awesome. My dad took me to The Rheinländer last Friday and the night just kept getting better. At the end of our meal, I was serenaded in German by a guy with a ponytail wiggling his hips like Elvis who proceeded to dab whipped cream on my nose. Then, since I was sick, I asked my brother to blow out the candle and a wave of powdered sugar blew across my dress with it! I just laughed in embarrassment.

My dad knows how to deliver for my birthday — he handed me some gift cards to my favorite stores and I didn’t waste a minute heading to the mall over the weekend, ripping through it like a crazed teenager and picking up some new baubles (H&M! $16.00!) and fresh inspirational reads.

Clutter is okay as long as it looks fashionable, right? I LOVE that Anthropologie tag! They know what’s up when it comes to branding.

I got dressed the other morning and realized I must be attempting to relive my youth because I’m pretty damn sure I used to have a sweater just like this…in 1994. And wore nude-toned lipstick. And had a similar haircut. HELLO, 90s!

I’m always on the lookout for rad type treatments and this was in the new Bergdorf Goodman catalog of all places! So good. And Rocky always likes to be the center of attention; he gives us the stare-down any time we’re shooting photos that don’t include him. Haha.

I’m happy that Fall is finally here. It’s my favorite season and my birthday gift from Joey were these yellow suede shoes which I’ve been wearing constantly with plaids. Very School’s Out Forever.

I’m off to continue packing, answer a pile of emails and go out on my morning walk. Besides that, I’ll be in my office, working on The Blogcademy magazine throughout the weekend. Have any plans you’re looking forward to?