the power of stories

Every year at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver a few outstanding Club members are nominated to be the Youth of the Year. While a number of children are recognized for their leadership initiatives, involvement in the Clubs, academic success, or just being a good role model for their peers, one Club member is named the Youth of the Year.

This year's Youth of the Year has gone above and beyond the duties of her title, representing Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver at the statewide and national levels as she delivers her message and hopefully gains college scholarships.

Kristen Casimier recently became the first in her family to graduate high school. Thanks to the help of BGCMD friends at Pinnacol video, the following video was made so Kristen could continue to share her story.

chicago bound - fantastic friendships & craft fairs await

Ah, how time flies. It seems like just yesterday when I realized my free Southwest flights were going to expire October 13th.. and I'd better book a vacation soon or else they would expire... and go to waste... and I don't want to be a wasteful person. So I'm taking a trip to Chicago - it's completely beyond my means and I can't afford one minute of it, but I'm excited.

Dearest Brenna Finnegan will be moving to the windy city the weekend prior to my arrival, and I can't wait to have my choice of TWO beds to crash in. Although, I must say, I'll probably still opt for Whitney's. Not only because my muscle memory indicates it's my go-to, but because princess Whitney sleeps on the softest surface known to man. Incredible.

While I don't anticipate any "Mermaid Party" craziness, I am excited to spend some quality time with some gal pals, and spend some mystery money at the Renegade craft fair.

Saturday promises to be a day filled with Midwestern sunshine, Goose Island tasty beverages (Matilda, anyone?), and some amazing items that I have no chance of ever making. I'm going to need to come up with a clear list of things I want before attending so I don't go crazy.

Things I'm looking forward to...

Chicago Craft Fair by LauraGraham

jcrew fall bridal... oh my

Ah, sporadic blogging...definitely my m.o. A partial reason for my inconsistency in keeping this blog fresh and newly content-ed is my freshening and contenting duties on the Classic Creations blog.

Since April I've been working with Colorado wedding planner, Julie Gambrell, and her company, Classic Creations. Julie was recently voted one of Colorado's top wedding planners by Colorado Wedding Style, so, needless to say, working for her has been a great experience. While part of my duties do include day-of wedding coordination and training to be a wedding planner, I've also been given the responsibility of maintaining her blog (so fun!).

The other day I posted an article about JCrew's Fall 2010 Bridal collection. I'm obsessed. Seriously...

I don't know if it's the model's wild and reckless curls, or the vintage-chic feel to some of the dresses, but I'm encouraging my next bride to seriously consider shopping JCrew. Here are a few of my favorites for you to enjoy too! Eat it up folks...

look here, anthropology...

If we have to co-exist in the same world, you're going to need to stop doing what you're doing. Immediately.
You know I can't afford you and probably never will be able to. Stop it. Right now. Specifically, stop this...

welcome to fall 2010...

It's been a while since I've had a fistfight with my closet. In the last few weeks, however, it would not be uncommon to find me flat and defeated on the floor of my closet, surrounded in 4 year old dresses that can no longer be reinvented. Exhausting, frustrating, and takes a far worse toll on my mood than I care to admit.

So, as a promise to my happy self, I am dedicating a fair amount of my next paycheck to bring me into 2010. I know there are more important things - groceries, financial independence, fish food - but I've been putting this task off long enough and it's time to take it on full force.

But, now that I've made up my mind, I realized I have no direction. Style, it's been too long since we've sat down for coffee and strategized.

So with some advice from the much respected "No Fear, These Are My Clothes" Natalie Slyman, I'm scouring fall lookbooks for some inspiration. Although it's just August, I'm preparing for fall. I feel its useless to dwell on summer when I so rarely treat myself to any new... new things.

I came across the blog Copenhagen Street Style this morning, and my pending search is now that much more desirable. Here are some photos I'm excited to (attempt to) recreate.