Gotye

Currently obsessed with this song....and Gotye.

"But that was love and it's an ache I still remember"

My Oscars Best Dressed

I was less than ecstatic about the looks that walked the red carpet last night at the 84th Annual Academy Awards. I thought many women really missed the mark, or I just wasn't in love at first glance - which is the true test. So, I only have 3 favorite looks from the Oscars and about 20 looks I hated (but I will spare you the rant).

Milla Jovovich was the first person I saw to walk the red carpet and remained my favorite throughout the entire evening. She was show-stopping in the Ellie Saab embellished one shoulder gown. In fact, I wanted to steal it I loved it so much. Well done, Milla!

Another favorite was Emma Stone, of course. She has outdone herself this season and I was so happy that she did not leave me wanting more. She was not only eye-catching in the fuschia Giambattista Valli gown, but also looked simultaneously sophisticated and fun. Major girl crush. 

 

Finally, I loved Octavia Spencer! She looked so beautiful in the silver Tadashi Shoji gown and it was so flattering on her figure. And just when I thought she couldn't look any better, she got on stage and showed the most raw emotion we've seen all season. Winning + Tadashi look great on this Alabama native!



All three are beautiful, talented ladies that made the 5 hour Oscars ordeal worth watching!

work for it

This morning I got the official word that I will brought in on a really cool project at work, where I will be involved from conception to execution. The event involves all-things Atlanta: a Foundation, athletes and a great downtown venue. Needless to say, I'm thrilled!

For those who have the pleasure of hearing about my "work woes" (cough: my dad and my roommate), they will surely understand my excitement. I have just short of begged to be more involved in a wider variety of things at work, with an emphasis on hospitality events. And thus far, nothing has worked out in my favor. I felt like I was going the extra mile to show that I was ready to take on new projects and more leadership, but was feeling overlooked and discouraged. Now my time has arrived and I'm so excited! It goes to show that hard work and patience (though I have very little) do pay off.

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." - Colin Powell

Courageous Choices

Often times, a courageous fashion choice has 50/50 chance of being a major hit or a major bust. Last night at the SAG Awards, I loved two looks that were not your traditional "red carpet gowns." Emma Stone and Rose Byrne looked unbelievable! While most looks coming down the red carpet left me disappointed and made me ask, "where was their stylist tonight?!" these two ladies owned their unique show-stopping looks.

Emma Stone looked adorably stunning in a tea-length Alexander McQueen.

Rose Byrne in an Elie Saab jumpsuit.

brown + black

I have learned that if I don't pick out my clothes for work the night before, I may as well set myself up to be late, stressed, and completely unhappy with what I'm wearing. Oh and can I remind you that I can wear jeans and casual dress every day?! Yeah, and I still have a problem.

Last night was no exception. I pulled out a brown and camel cardigan and jeans, and was looking for a shirt to wear. I immediately went to a black tank top, but hesitated when I looked at the two together. After much thought (and way too much agonizing for a Friday, when I know there's going to be less than 10 people in the office) my lovely roomie told me to go with a green tee. But this morning, I just couldn't let the black tank go. So I went with it. And it hit me like a ton of bricks - I LOVE brown and black together. I just love it. I'm always pairing the two colors together. Since I do not catalog my own looks with photos (sarcam - because who really does that?!), here are some looks that I would most definitely wear myself, taken from my pinterest boards -

 

This is a great casual weekend look. Found here.



Great for fall. In winter, I would pair with black tights. Found here.



Love the entire look. All items found here.

brown + black. Obsessed.

23 days

In just a few short weeks, I will be taking in the sites of Madrid, Spain with one of my best friends, Stephanie. With every pssing day, I become more and more anxious to get there! So until then, I will be delving into books and reading anything I can in preparation for the trip. Thanks to a dear friend, I can get started right away...

guilty...

I can't get enough of the Sh*t Girls Say episodes, and most of the spin-offs. And I can't just watch them once; I've seen each multiple times! So in case you need a laugh today, or tomorrow, or the next - watch this.

For more laughs, watch Sh*t Nobody Says.

Inspired

Every day I am inspired to write down my thoughts by people, fashions, food & recipes, random thoughts, music, my friends, my family, my co-workers, my closet and my interactions. But for the last several months, my laziness and/or distractions have taken over and I haven't even looked at my blog. But last night's Golden Globe Awards finally inspired me to re-light the candle that is all the Wright things. Which led to a goal for 2012 - blog at least one time a week.

Here are my favorite looks from last night.

Claire Danes was a stunner in J. Mendel. My favorite of the night.

 

Kristen Wiig in Bill Blass. 1970s HOT.

Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen. Beautiful, as always.



Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang. Wow.

Ashton Kutcher. Enough said.

 I found each of these head to toe looks absolutely stunning. From dramatic make-up and dresses, to a look back in time to one of my favorite decades, to modern classics - these women (and Ashton) were picture perfect.

Short and sweet, but I'm back. Stay tuned for more my folks.

Here's to you, kid.

I spent close to an hour on the phone with a dear friend yesterday; however, the circumstances were slightly different from our usual phone catch-up sessions - it was a "see ya later" of sorts. As we were swapping stories from the last couple of weekends, laughing, and sharing our plans for the immediate future, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly proud of the young lady on the other side of the phone. Proud, and also envious (in the best way possible).

You see, this friend, she's following her dreams. Born a traveler in every sense of the word, she is jet-setting to Spain today where she will spend the next 10 months teaching English to students in Madrid. In my opinion, that is scary. And that fear is what held me back from doing something similar - from leaving the people and places that I know to go on a short adventure while I'm young and without major responsibilities. I may have wasted my chance, but Stephanie is taking full advantage of hers and for that I am so proud of her!

I'm making 23 cooler than 21

In honor of my BFF Brooke coming to Atlanta to celebrate my birthday with me and some of my closest friends:

I can't wait to ring in 23 tomorrow night like Katy Perry. 

And I am certain that I will say something like...

"I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure I'm in a dance-off." -Andy, The Office

Online Shopping Obsession

So last week, I went a liiittle crazy with some online shopping. And while it may have been a bit impulsive, I did some serious budget shopping. I completely stayed away from sites where I tend to go overboard, and limited myself to $40.00 per item. Luckily for me it was the Anniversary Sale at Nordstrom, and some of my purchases were just plan cheap. I even got some free shipping! Here are 3 of my favorites...

Saw this on Pinterest and I could not resist.
ModCloth, $34.99

Perfect day-to-night summer dress.

Nordstrom, $31.90

Totally digging the tribal print on this crop top.
Forever21, $17.80

Anxiously awaiting their arrival in the mail!

Time Flies....

It is absolutely amazing to be able to look back at where I was this time a year ago, and see what a transformation I've made! And honestly, a year ago feels like yesterday.

Mid-July 2010, I was a mess. A break-up left me empty and devastated. I was taking my very last undergrad class with graduation just around the corner. I had absolutely no plans for my post-grad future. And I let all of that define me. Mid-July 2010 (and many months after) was a tough time. 

And here I am, Mid-July 2011 and I feel like a completely different version of me. I've become a goal-setter. I am incredibly ambitious. I look forward to the future, but not too far forward. I have changed some of my outlooks to be more positive and more self-centered (and I don't think that's a bad thing). I have a job that I absolutely love (even if I am just an intern)! I go to church more. And I pray A LOT more. I have decided to start running again, with a goal of running a half marathon this November. I am about to move out of my parent's home and be truly independent for the first time in my life. I have accepted and learned to appreciate that it's not imperative to marry your college love. I read more. And watch less of the mindless television shows that consumed many days and nights in college. But don't get me wrong...I'm still the same Ansley...I haven't rid myself of all of my flaws. I'm still stubborn and I do still procrastinate. I'm still a bit irresponsible. I still sometimes get upset and bothered by trivial matters. And yes, I do still let my laundry and the mess in my bedroom pile up.

But I think the biggest change that has occurred from last July to now, is that I am happy. And while I can attribute many of the changes and my happiness to just a change in the way I see things now, I honestly do not know where I would be or who I would be if I didn't have the support system that I do. I have the most amazing family who has been there for the ups and the many downs, the celebrations and the cry-fests. And my friends have been so gracious to always listen to me drag on about the past and download my feelings, and also share in the triumphs and the joys that I am so excited about. I truly am blessed with such wonderful people in my life that make me want to be better, but love and support me when I'm at my worst. 

So here's to now, the future, and appreciating the past! Not letting the negative things that happen to me define me. And to seeing how things continue to unfold.

07.01.2011

a.k.a., the half-way point of 2011. My goodness, how time flies! It seems like just a couple of months ago I was writing about my resolutions for 2011. Like I said in the original post, I have never stuck to the resolutions I have made, but this year has been different. I haven't been the best at keeping up with the 4 things I set out to do this year. But, I am working on it! And so.....a recap. Perhaps seeing what I have excelled at and what I have failed at will keep me going strong for the remainder of the year!

Read at least one book each month: Check!

I have been absolutely successful in doing this. In fact, I don't even think of it as a goal that I want to achieve each month. I just finish one book and move on to another. I was never a big reader in school (I think one of the only required reading I ever finished was Catcher in the Rye) but I can honestly say I am a reader now! {Books I have read so far in 2011}

Go to the gym, 4 times a week, without complaining: 75%-check

I really don't like to workout. Rephrase: I really don't like getting off my lazy behind and going to the gym. But once I'm there, I can workout and feel great afterwards! Overall, I'm going probably 2 or 3 times a week, and complaining about it only once in a while. And since it's summertime now I'm swimming laps at the pool on the days I can't work up the motivation to get sweaty and do squats. For now, that is good enough for me!

Become better at keeping up with friends and family: Semi-check

This is something that I've never been great at. I always think if something big or exciting or horrible or scary or wonderful is happening with my friends or family, they'll call and let me know. And vice-versa. But what a horrible way to think! So while I may not be engaging in a weekly phone update with my BFFs, I do try to reach out via phone call, text, e-mail, Facebook, and dinner dates as often as I can. This is one of those things that will become more important as time goes on, and I intend to master it. Stay tuned. 

Cook or bake something new once every week: Pretty Much Fail

I started out this year like a champ on this one. I was baking cupcakes, breakfast bars, fruity treats and cookies. And I was trying new dinner recipes all the time. But come March, it all went downhill. I can't even remember the last time I cooked a meal for me and my roommates. So this category could use some major improvement! Please send any quick and easy dinner recipes my way, I'd love to try them out.

I hope the remaining 6 months of 2011 are as great and full of new adventures and surprises as these have been. Come December, I will be excited to be able to say that I stuck to my resolutions for the entire year....I hope! :)

Southern Girl

I am obsessed with this song lately. I can't explain it. I just am.

I just want to grab the closest fella and dance. And sing along. 

Amos Lee - Southern Girl

I'll bring dessert.

Tonight I went to a dinner party at a friend's house. She prepared a tasty entrée consisting of  arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette topping a breaded chicken breast, pasta, & a-mazing garlic parmesan bread rolls.  Someone else brought the wine. And I brought a dessert. 
I saw these white cupcakes with strawberry icing and fruit garnishing on one of my favorite blogs and thought it was the perfect summer treat! Plus, who doesn't love cupcakes? I was really looking forward to trying out a new recipe, and of course sharing these at dinner. My buttercream icing did not come out exactly  right (No wonder they always say never to try cooking something new before bringing it to share with others!) but luckily for me (and everyone who ate one), they still tasted good and the strawberry flavoring was light and tasty. It was a fun dinner party (especially meal preparation!) with old and some new friends, over a delicious meal and great conversation.

Martha Stewart's recipe for cupcakes with strawberry buttercream icing.

Random Thought

I've just decided that I NEED to create a recipe book. I have cut-outs and print-outs and rip-outs scattered all over the house and my room, stuck in random books and in several drawers. By the end of July I am determined to create a cute booklet to put my random recipes, my favorite recipes from my Mom and Grandmother, and leave room for recipes to come! 
I'm excited.

Books

I've been reading like a mad woman lately! I have turned into a girl who prefers to curl up in bed with a good book over watching whatever is on TV. I've read at least one book each month so far this year, and I would recommend all of them! So go to your nearest Barnes & Noble, library, or Amazon.com and get to reading!


Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner  --  I read the majority of this on my flight to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl in Orlando in January. A light and quick read. Not my favorite book ever but still interesting enough to keep you hooked. So save this one for a long car ride or when you're laying by the pool.  

Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea and Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler  --  February was a month where I needed a few laughs. And Chelsea did the trick. I was seen on more than one occasion laughing out loud in public. Hey, it happens.

The Go-Getter Girls Guide by Debra Shigley  --  I swear by this book. I think every young female twenty-something should read this how-to on how to become successful at being successful in anything you tackle in life. Thank you, Ashley, for this wonderful gift!

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski  --  I spent a good amount of time in April laying poolside, riding in the car to Hilton Head, and getting in bed early, which gave me a lot of time to read. If you like fictional books with some good ol' American history, Wench is a good read for you. Based in the mid-1800s, this book tells a different tale about slavery and the moral complexities of that era. On a different note, The Next Thing On My List is a light, quick, fun read about a woman in her twenties searching for purpose. And it has inspired me to make a list of my own to complete before I'm 25.

The Lion by Nelson DeMille  --  As part of a two book series, DeMille writes about a psychotic terrorist who is taking revenge on the United States. I could not put these books down (the first is The Lion's Game) and I highly recommend both!  

Decision Points by George W. Bush -- I am currently in the middle of W.'s memoir, and I love it. No matter if you loved/hated/or were indifferent towards our 43rd President, it's a wonderful insight into his life, political journey, and time in office.

Alice

What an incredible girl! 
I am absolutely inspired by her courage, strength, and positive outlook. 

Alice

Countdown

In just 15 short days I will be spending a long weekend in Perdido Key. Laying in a beach chair, soaking up the sun. Reading a good book. 

I. Cannot. Wait.

via, weheartit.com

Just 15 more days.....

Uhhh, I have to pay for that?

Here it is folks, a huge surprise....I have lived a pretty sheltered life. 

Whew, it feels good to get that off my chest.

But seriously. 

Here is today's dialogue between my roommate (aka my mother) and myself:


Roommate: "Oooh, you got some mail! Oh this is great that you got this!"


Me: {Thinking to myself what wedding/shindig/engagement party/baby shower do I have coming up?} "What is it?"


Roommate: {Ripping open my mail with a mischievous grin.} 
"It's your license plate payment!"


Me: "Uhhh, I have to pay for that?"


Roommate: "$81.00 to be exact."
-----
I have come to realize that while I have recently taken over any and all payments that have anything to with me (excluding rent, bills, groceries - the joys of living at home, thanks mom & dad!) every time I start to feel a sense of self-pride that I'm on a great track, something new comes out of thin air. Who knew you get a bill in the mail for your license plate?!...Not me!...And $81.00?! ARE. YOU. KIDDING.


I took this sweet little surprise as today's reminder that just when I start to think I've got things pretty figured out, I get a random notice in the mail that tells me that I don't.