places I love (home).

some snaps of home (a work in progress). 

love.lauren

music I love (rainy day jams).

Rain in Phoenix is rare and so when it happens, I enjoy it like the special treat that it is. In honor of an epically rainy Saturday downtown, here are 10 songs perfect for a rainy afternoon. 

1. Sawdust Girl - The Honeycutters 

2. The Dreamer - The Tallest Man on Earth 

3. Stranger In a Strange Land - Blitzen Trapper 

4. Shield Your Eyes - Dry the River 
5. Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks - The National 
6. Sugar Mama - The Deep Dark Woods 
7. Dear Believer - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros 
8. You Ain't Alone - Alabama Shakes 
9. White Apple - Blind Pilot 
10. Always Come Back - Tim & Nicki Bluhm

love.lauren

gifts I love (birchbox).

For my birthday this year, one very savvy gift giver treated me to a Birchbox subscription. I had wanted to try it out for so long, but never made the jump. 

Birchbox is subscription service that sends you an adorably packaged box once a month full of small versions of some of the best beauty & lifestyle products around, as well as some extra treats, special notes and tips, and more. 

My first bright pink box showed up at my doorstep this week, and I'm in love. It's the PERFECT gift for any gal in your life who spends 1/2 her paycheck at Sephora, or it's the perfect gift to #treatyoself with. ;) 

love.lauren

places I love (park city & sundance).

It took 5 minutes to convince my girlfriends across the country that a trip to Utah for some epic girl time and the Sundance Film Festival was a good idea. 

we met in the middle (sorry kara!)

went on #goslingwatch2013 (unsuccessfully)

played in the snow

laughed ourselves silly

saw some great movies

did some epic people watching 

bundled up to stay warm 

ate amazing meals 

sang Tony Danza tributes

discovered wine keeps you just as toasty as your scarf does

developed a major michael cera crush

relished in epic amounts of girl time

explored Main Street

made it awkward for bill pullman 

terrified stanley tucci

ran into james franco

heard actors talk about their films

nearly lost our toes waiting in line

experienced a screaming hoard of ladies

met lucky drag queens

fell in love with Park City 

remembered how fun our friends are

vowed to come back. 

a lot. 

places I love (roosevelt row).

It's no secret that I have quickly fallen in love with my neighborhood. Sharing some snapshots from an early morning walk around downtown Phoenix. 

love.lauren

that time I fell in love with kitchenware.

This month I celebrated my birthday. My parents outdid themselves and surprised me with this magic machine. I can't wait to play with it! When kitchen gadgets make you this happy I guess it's time to admit you're a grown up. 

love.lauren

coffee I love (songbird coffee & tea house).

In recent years, we've seen LOTS of unique and cozy coffee shops pop up around downtown Phoenix. It seems like there is a place that fits just about anyone. One of my favorites (and within walking distance of my home!) is Songbird Coffee & Tea House. 

In the heart of Roosevelt Row (and connected to the first friday art hot spot MonOrchid!)Songbird is a perfect spot to spend a morning people watching and enjoying the city.

The coffee and pastries are delicious, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming (I remember when they were opening and put out a call for people to bring their own items for the bookshelves), and there is always something going on in or around Songbird. Artists in house, acoustic music nights, events, etc. Let's be honest, it's a pretty great place to be. 

Now they've even announced a new Songbird Saturday Concert Series. If this isn't enough reason to stop in, I don't know what is!

love.lauren

places I love (vietnam).

Sigh. I miss this place today. A lot. 

books I love (2013 challenge edition).

I've committed myself to doing less aimless internet browsing and more reading this year. 50 books. Phew. We'll see if I can make it happen. In an effort to keep myself publicly (hi mom!) accountable, I'll be keeping track of my literary adventures. 

I'll be updating the list over --> here, so follow along! 

I just started Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. I can't wait to tell you how it is! 

love.lauren

shops I love (minted).

Okay okay, Christmas is over. But I couldn't let the holidays pass by without sharing what might be my favorite card yet! 

I used Minted to make it, and it was SUPER easy, they customized it for me, and they arrived in the mail at top speed (which is perfect for procrastinators like myself!). Without further ado, my 2012 Christmas card.