This weekend was just so much fun - lots of laughs, visits and birthday celebrations with dear family friends, inspiring sermons at church, and leisurely lounging on the lake.

On Saturday, we had some of our closest family friends - 'aunt' Mary and 'uncle' Juan - visit from the southern tippy toes of Texas. It also happened to be Mary's birthday, so the whole gang (11 of us!) rallied for a lunch date at The Woodland on Congress. We laughed and listened to stories about my sweet granny, revamping the term 'family', what Austin was like in the '60s, and my dad getting a pie in the face at one of his past birthdays. What I would give to have seen that!! We noshed on eggs benedict, turkey brie sandwiches, and quiche. We, of course, saved room for chocolate birthday cupcakes with fluffy pink frosting for Mary's birthday. Hope that birthday wish of yours comes true! It was such a treat having our fam get together like that on the weekends....it's one of my favorite things about living in Texas!! PS See that Labyrinth masquerade poster? John was like a giddy five year old when he saw that. Of all the movies, they had to pick one of his faves....bring on the Bowie wig and tights!


After my belly was stuffed full, I headed over to Le Garage Sale to meet some girlfriends for a shopping extravaganza. There were tons of awesome shops there - By George, Maya, Etcetra Etc., Fawn + Raven, Adelante - with their merch slashed down 50%-75%. Umm, ya. After doing an 'observatory lap' around the arena where I may or may not have been some rabid women throwing elbows to get to a sparkly sequin mini dress, I started scanning the racks and my ADD went into total overdrive. I'm sure my pal Mandy (ps hire her if you need some amazing on-air talent) can attest to that, ha!  Anywho, it was huge and overwhelming and fun and exciting. I managed to snag a pair of $20 Dolce Vita sandals, a gorgeous olive green maxi dress, that rad felt hat you see below, and 2 sparkly necklaces. Perhaps I'll grow some cajones and manage an outfit post. I don't know why I am such an awkward annie when it comes to those darn things!! We shall see if my stylepostisitus ever cures.

The trail on Lady Bird Lake is by far one of my most favorite places to go in Austin. It feels like a little mini vacation. John and I went to what is probably one of our favorite church services yet (the pastor spoke about false idols and how to combat them), and it was so inspiring and moving. Apparently the guy who kept proclaiming "AMEN!!!" behind us thought so also, ha! After the service, we walked to the lakefront and chilled on a bench, basking in the sun and watching the swans swim by. It was pretty romantic until some canoers came by and started feeding the swan. Those big birds don't mess around when it comes to food. I swear I thought he was going to get his eyes pecked out after the guy refused to give him more bagel! That swan should totally thank him though....doesn't he know that carbs totally make your tail feathers look big? I kid, I kid.

Sweater: J.Crew Factory (similar and similar) // Tee: 291 Venice (similar) // Scarf: Adelante Austin // Jeans: Martin + Osa (similar) // Boots: Target

Right after bragging posting about how beautiful and sunny it is here in Austin, we get a string of overcast and rainy gray days. Alas, WE NEED THE RAIN (a must watch for Austin dwellers)!!! Despite that revelation, see all those faces up there? That is pretty much what I look like in the AM when I peek out the window and see it's gross outside. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Totally and utterly spoiled when it comes to weather, but I can willingly admit it.

Does any else feel like they operate at half mast when it's overcast out? Seems like my synapses don't fire as quickly, and a feeling of 'zombieness' kinda takes over. How do you get out of the funk? It seems those Jersey Shore idiots could be on to something....GYM, TAN, LAUNDRY! But, alas....I have a lovely case of patella tendonitis that feels like walking on knives, so gym is out of the question. Tanning might do the trick if there wasn't a 75% chance of getting skin cancer and looking like this lady in a few years. Laundry.....eh, not so much a 'pick me up' as it is a chore. Ok, so I take it back...GTL is not a likely solution to a raging case of the greys. Wherever you are, hope you have a happy and cheerful day! xo

Big news debut here at Triple Max Tons, dolls. This past weekend, I decided to take a little leap of faith and open up shop. Not an actual shop, but a little custom blog design studio that lives in a brightly lit little corner of my apartment. I'm dubbing it "So You Want To Prettify Your Blog?" corner- a phrase I have found myself saying a lot when talking to friends and family about it.

It's a little scary putting myself out there since everything I know is self-taught, but I've got spirit and style and that counts for something! It's also a little nerve-racking since design generates intense opinion and blogging can be such a deeply personal matter. I feel like my blog is my little baby, and I am protective and proud of it. I want everyone to share that sentiment with me - your blog is your little corner of the Internet where you can talk about whatever you want, to whomever you like, whenever you like. I believe the blog design is just as important as the content, and the way it looks ought to reflect your sentiments. First impressions count a lot when there are over a million gazillion trillion blogs to sift through.

Sure, there are people out there that are bigger, more experienced, and do amazing work...but everyone has got to start somewhere, and this weekend I decided I was going to give it a shot. I have to admit, I am really happy to go on this journey - the creative process, the growing pains, the (hopefully) happy clients, it just makes me giddy with excitement. I'm brand spankin' new on to the scene so my portfolio is limited, and I have hopes that it will grow soon. Like, right after I hit the 'publish' button, haha. So, consider this my call to the faithful few who would like me to help make their blog prettier! Oh, and I should mention, for now I'm just working with Blogger-based blogs (sorry, Wordpress wunderkinds). Check out kirstenstoddard.com for info and rates!

Hola, people!!! I have super exciting news to share today...our sweet little niece was born yesterday! CG was a total trooper during the labor (she was even texting yours truly...isn't that impressive?!?!), and both her and baby are doing well. I am going to refrain from posting any sort of photos of the one-day-old precious bundle (now and probably ever) since my sis-in-law's 'mamma bear instincts' are probably raging right now and I'd rather not incur the wrath. So I've got to think a little creatively about this one, but fret not, I've got another way to share the good tidings that doesn't involve personal privacy invasion!!! Instead, we can celebrate Lydia's birthday (and a very cute way to decorate a nursery, no?!) by gawking at these adorable baby animals photographed by Sharon Montrose, haha!

And to think, we've got another niece on the way in just a few days. Sending much love to you, A&A....so incredibly excited for your little bundle to arrive!! There's a bona fide baby boom going in the New England side of our fam, y'all!

There isn't one look on here that I don't love. Nude hues and neon brights are always a dynamic duo that I will gladly wear anytime, any season. For more styles, check out the Spring 2012 collection from Heidi Merrick.

{found via Eat Drink Chic}

I have been lusting over the Colette bed from Crate & Barrel for years now. After a few feeble attempts to justify spending so much cash on a bed frame, I decided to go the DIY route with the goal of keeping the project under $150.

Guess what?! We did it!!! In total, I think we spent about $110 dollars on this project....but you'd never guess because it looks like a million bucks! I still need to do the nailhead trim, but I was too excited to do it when we finished upholstering the bed. I got a beautiful flax-colored textured linen on clearance for $18, my mom had the foam from a twin bed that wasn't being used anymore, and the rest was either in my dad's workroom or picked up from Home Depot. (PS Some credit card rewards programs, like mine for ex, offer various gift cards to shops like Home Depot....double check yours to see if you can cash in your points to keep even more cash in your pocket!).

My super amazing and handy dad was the brains and brawn behind this DIY upholstered headboard project. Without him, I would likely have a headboard that isn't measured right or straight! Anyways, grab a DIY-savvy friend and give this easy, fun, and economical weekend project a go!

Well I now have a beaaaaaaaaaaautiful DIY headboard adorning my bed, and am making good on my resolution to get our apartment looking a little more 'done' on a dime.  I am currently in the market for some cute accent pillows, and came across these handmade beauties from Three Sheets 2 The Wind. This small textile design studio - owned by Jenny Sauer, a former fashion designer - features hand drawn illustrations all reflect a vintage vibe heavily influenced by the skeletal structure of plant life. One of my favorite facts about this operation is that there are no computers involved in the manufacturing process. Yep, you read that right...it's all hand drawn, hand printed, and sewn in her 1,200 sq ft studio space. Plus, she's got some super awesome prints in the shop that I am crushing on!

Thief&Bandit is the brainchild of Amie Cunningham, a woodcarver, designer, and artist by way of Canada and now living and working in Richmond, VA. The Thief&Bandit Etsy shop is chock full of original jewelry, accessories, and clothing which all happen to be handmade from hand-printed fabrics. A task that is sure to keep Amie busy for years to come...and thankfully so. Aren't her wares awesome?!

Oh, faceted geo planter by Kelly Lamb, how I would love to see you stuffed full of succulents and sitting on the table in my apartment. Particularly one of these succulents...the kind I bought right after John and I got engaged. And then accidentally killed. I promise I won't let my black thumb of death destroy your cacti tenants. But, really, it's time for attempt #2 to keep a potted plant alive for more than 6 months.

Waves // Chignon // Fishtail Braids // Braided Updo

While I am still all sorts of smitten with my a-wee-bit-shorter-than-my-shoulder-length tresses, I can't help but feel a little nostalgic for the days when I could toss my hair into any 'do. Cascading braids, flowing waves, loose chignons, the ever-popular top knot....what's your go-to hair style?

For more hair inspiration, check out my board on Pinterest. Oh, and P.S....I am obsessing over that gorgeous shade of red above.

{Get The Look} Jackson Metal Tub Chair // Ikea Sheepskin Throw  // Spin Wheel Tea Towel Agate Trivet // Jackson Rectangular Table with Metal Base // Textured Dome Pendant Traditional Sailcloth Sofa  //  DwellstudioPillow & FJS Pillow  //  Woven Rag Rug Raindrop Vase // Zinc Zig-Zag Hook  // Hummingbirds Art Print

My second resolution of 2012 is all about rejuvenation - of my mind, body, soul, and lifestyle. 

Travel
Few things excite me like a trip abroad, yet they rarely come about...money and time always seem to make them nearly impossible. The beautiful sights, the awkward/awesome cultural exchanges, the different foods, and hilarious events that always come about when traveling...fingers crossed I get to experience that in 2012. Right now, Sweden is on the top of my travel wish list - it's where my mom's side of the family is from, and I have been hungrily taking in all of the amazing footage from Sweden in the "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" movies. Argentina is also up there on my list...bring on the gauchos, yerba mate, and the tango! 

Beauty
I went to the dermatologist for the first time this year for reasons that were purely vain. My skin was totally lackluster, the texture was no longer smooth, and my fine lines were beginning to look more like a map of Austin's interstate highways! Ahh the perils of entering your mid-20's, haha. Anyways, the most important instructions uttered by my derm: wear sunscreen everyday. She also told me to get a Clarisonic (and to accept no imposters), which my mom bought me for Christmas and I highly recommend. My skin is already softer, and the products absorb into my skin so much better than before.  It's worth every single penny. As for other little changes you can do to freshen things up for the new year, a hair cut and a swipe of bright lipstick are sure to do the trick.

Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Crème // NARS Blush in ‘Orgasm’ // Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted SPF 30 Moisturizer // Ojon Intensive Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask // Yves Saint Laurent SPF 15 Lipstick in ‘Lingerie Pink’

Eating Clean
If you are what you eat, I am most certainly chicken, cereal, crackers, cheese, pizza, cupcakes, and salad. It's not necessarily the worst diet you can imagine, but it's not the healthiest either. Just need to cram more veggies and less dairy in there. I'm going to attempt to go gluten-free to see if that has any effect on my energy levels and overall health. I can already tell it's going to be a toughie, and there is a total learning curve (baking with xanthan gum, anyone?!) that will definitely take some getting used to.

The Artisanal Gluten-Free Cookbook and 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes cookbook are both on my list to check out.

Spirituality
This is so often a part of my life that gets pushed to the side when things get busy, and it is something that I really want to move to the forefront. John and I were so lucky to have found a Church here in Austin that we really enjoy, and I'd like to become a more active member within it...learning more about Christianity through the Bible, putting words into action, and finally getting baptized!

Biblical Posters by Jim LePage

AthletaTie Dye Hair Bands  // Gaiam Yoga Mat // Fila Sport Performance Tee // Champion Seamless Cami Bra // Puma 'Speeder' Sneakers  //  Apple iPod Shuffle // ASOS Oversized Tote  // Lucy Running Tights

I just might have taken a few extra liberties over the holidays (family time and food comas can do that to me), and remained 'unplugged' a little longer than I had anticipated. Whoops! So without further ado, HAPPY 2012!!! 

With the new year comes a slew of resolutions. The first one up on my list is likely the most obvious - and reoccurring - resolution: to exercise. However, my goal isn't as superficial as it was in past years. I am not chasing after this unrealistic goal of looking like Miranda Kerr. That's just not my body type, and I'm cool with my curves. The reason why I want to start regularly exercising is to get fit. I want to be able to play a game of chase with my nieces and nephews without chilling on base for like a zillion hours. I want to be able to do pull-ups instead of hanging from the equipment, flailing around like a caught fish and trying with all my might....but not moving an inch. I want to be able to run a mile without feeling like I am a fire-breathing dragon whose lungs are on the bring of explosion. But of course, I wouldn't mind the ripped abs and buns of steel that come along with all that hard work!!!