O'ahu, Hawaii

Since I haven't posted in awhile, I have a few trips to catch up on. Here are some of the highlights from my birthday trip to Hawaii:

+Stayed in downtown Waikiki.

+Hiked to Makapu’u Point.

+Catamaran TradeWind Sailing Trip.
+Obsessed with the palm trees.
+My favorite Ban Mi - lemongrass tofu.

Currently No. 7

It's been a moody start to the summer... with Mars in retrograde and all. So, while I'm still digging the oxblood trend, a little turquoise and brass to lighten the mood never hurt anyone.

I'm off to Las Vegas today for the National Charter School Conference, so I'm hoping to catch up on some serious reading and podcast listening during downtime. You can follow the highlights on my Instagram.

(1) Free People Strappy Back Bra in 'Wine' (2) Mollie Hook in 'Peacock Blue and Brass'

(3) Retro Bullet Planter in 'Turquoise' (4) Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau in 'Sin'

Currently No. 4

My 26th birthday is this Friday and I'm finding that my taste is generally getting more expensive. I tend to need to budget for multiple months to buy anything I bookmark and obsess over. But in general, I'm also finding that the best presents for your birthday are experiences, dinner with my parents or a movie with my sister. It's just nice to spend time together.

So, without further ado, here is my ultimate birthday wishlist:

(1) Eyeko Alexa Chung Eye Do Mascara Liquid Eyeliner Set (2) Wilfred Élision Dress

(3) Miele S2121 Olympus Canister Vacuum Cleaner (4) AllSaints Cargo Leather Biker Jacket

(5) Cocktail Kingdom Ice Tapper (6) Comme des Garçons Long Zip Wallet

Currently No. 2

Counting down the days until warmer weather and trying to find some versatile pieces for a late spring trip to Europe! I just booked a G Adventures YOLO tour from London to Rome for May. As an added bonus, I'll also be able to go to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia for a couple days after the tour. (Well, I might have timed it that way, but still an added bonus.)

Here are a few pieces on my radar...

(1) Nixon Watch (2) Boden Breton Tunic
(3) Scotch & Soda Top (4) Pons Avarcas

New Year's Wisdom

Happy New Year! I have a good feeling about 2014, how about you?

I'm making a few resolutions for 2014, mostly about forming good habits (Have you read The Power of Habit?) and putting myself out there more often.

I hope these words speak to you and inspire you to make 2014 the best year yet.

(inspired via Hip Hip Gin Gin)

Back to the Small Pond

I am not continuing with my custom domain stylemewhimsy.com this year, so it's back to having Blogspot in the url. That's life. . .

Hope you'll still follow my inspirations here and at Pinterest.

Faye Dunaway via dsata

October Resolutions

It's been a stressful few weeks, I was offered a job by one of my firm's clients and couldn't pass the opportunity up. I've been slowly adjusting to all the changes, but I am spent. I think changing jobs might be worse than moving. The crisp fall weather has arrived here and I'm ready to have a relaxing autumn season.

Is there something that signals the changing seasons for you? Trader Joe's new arrivals are pretty much pumpkin everything, so I think the season is upon us.

New York Trip Essentials

My taxi is arriving in less than an hour so I can catch the red-eye to New York City. I'll be ready to hit the town early Thursday morning. In preparing for my trip, here are a few things I thought might be helpful. You can follow me on Twitter to see how my NYC trip goes down. Wish me luck!

1. Grid-It Organizer: Organizer for all my chargers and whatnot

2. Clare Vivier Fannypack: Hands free and tourist chic

3. Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle: How to get free water at the US Open

4. Holga Camera: You can actually get 120 film developed in NYC

5. Cuyana Panama Hat: Essential for tennis watching

July Resolutions

It's hard to believe the year is already halfway over, but (glass half full) we still have six months, right? I'm going to try to take my yoga practice to the next level and take some classes at the Avenues Yoga studio. I think it will be nice to get a different perspective and to meet new people.

My Poppin order is arriving Thursday to get my office in tip-top shape and I'm hoping to make that space a little more inspirational and inviting. The best project is always the one you are starting next, so I'd like to try my hand at DIY concrete planters and these apparently amazing raised waffles.

Any fun projects, or interests you are hoping to further, for the next half of the year?

June Resolutions

June is almost half-way over, this year is just flying by. While I miss the good old days of getting a summer break from school, I'm still trying to make the most of this summer while working 9 to 5.

Summer reading (a Christmas gift from my lovely sister), drinking Pimm's while watching Wimbledon, and brainstorming endless ideas. . . Here's to June!

Do you do anything special to kick off the summer season?

May Resolutions

I finally made the lightbox from my April resolutions today, but better late than never.  The weather is finally warming up and that means postprandial walks and iced coffee. . .

April Resolutions

When you hear that the next Davis Cup tie is less than a 4-hour drive away, and know the No. 1 tennis player and No. 1 doubles tennis players are going to be there, you buy the tickets ASAP.  I can't wait to head to Boise this weekend and experience the energy of the Davis Cup.

I always feel like doing projects when the weather finally warms up.  I'm planning to attempt a crepe cake for my birthday and construct a light box to capture some prettier photos.  I'm also itching to start a sewing project of some sort.  Do you have any projects up your sleeve?

March Resolutions

This month I'll finally get to see some live tennis at Indian Wells, and Rafa confirmed he'll play!  I'm also still working on making my apartment cozier and from lighting candles to stocking the bar are small things that can make a big difference.

This year is just flying by so far. . .

February Resolutions

My January Resolutions went fairly well, I have been practicing yoga everyday this year and I've been trying a lot of new recipes in this cookbook.

For February, I'm keeping it simple with a homemade touch and some relaxation.

January Resolutions

I love the fresh start of a new year, all the ideas of grandeur and the hopes to be a happier and brighter person.  Last year was full of big changes: graduating from school again, getting my first real job, and moving to my own apartment in the city.

But I find that it's the little things that really change your day to day perspective and make for a happier life.  Last year I kept track of a little 'Happiness Project' with a few small goals each month, such as, making salsa verde or starting tennis lessons again.  I thought I would do the same this year.

Here's to 2013!

Knitting Project: Baby Blanket

My newest niece, Sylvia, arrived today on 12/12/12!

It was my goal was to knit a blanket for each of my sister's babies.  I finished Julia's a few years late, so I was more prepared this time.  The pattern from Purl Bee is barely a pattern, since the entire blanket is just knit stitch, but the stripes break up the monotony.

Pumpkin Pie Almonds

I've been busy planning for a trip to Indian Wells, four months from now, in March.  Hopefully trip planning around a tennis tournament will get easier with experience. . .

This recipe for pumpkin pie almonds has been in my Pinterest folder for awhile now and I finally have all the ingredients.  'Tis the Season!

(Pumpkin Pie Almonds)

Interior of the Week

I'm officially in my new apartment!  I can't wait to get everything set up and get back to exploring the city.  There is even an extra room for an office, very fancy. . .

(office)

Apartment Inspiration

Completely preoccupied with moving into my new apartment, hopefully before the end of this month!  So far, I've only been able to stock up on kitchen supplies and try to organize everything.  I can't wait to be in the city again.

You can follow all my apartment inspirations on Pinterest.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Jane Austen's Persuasion

Very excited to go see Jane Austen's Persuasion tonight presented by the Zion Theatre Company at the Off Broadway Theatre of Salt Lake City.  My mom is taking the train into the city and we are going to check out City Creek and have dinner/drinks at Bambara.

Have a great weekend!