Fill in the blank Friday

1. My favorite color is green. I have a serious, mad, crazy love for this color, and most people know it because I'm always gravitating towards it.

2. My travel destination of choice is, like Lauren, the mountains...at least at this moment. I could go for a little weekend jaunt up to the mountains. Crisp mountain air, a little hiking, glorious blue skies full of fluffy white clouds and s'mores. Yep, that sounds good right now.

3. My favorite food is bread. Oh, my unhealthy love of bread...it's ridiculous. I'm also a big fan of cheese. And bread + cheese? Yep, heaven.

4. My happy place is Barnes and Noble, or a quirky coffee shop with comfy chairs. Really, my happy place is wherever I'm alone in my head, or curled up with a book and a cup of tea or coffee.  Can we say introvert? 

5. My favorite saying is "smokin' deal"...not because I say it very often, but because it's my Mother's phrase and it never ceases to make me smile. Jamie and I frequently discuss our latest "smokin' deals" and then chuckle because it's such a Debby phrase...and we kind of like Debby.

6. My dirty little secret is that I only own a couple pairs of jeans. I live in jeans, but I wash and re-wear the same pairs over and over. I don't see the point of having a closet full of jeans when just a few, well bought pairs will get you by.

7. Something friends might say about me is that when I set my mind to something, I tend to stick with it. This can make me seem like a stick in the mud if I really don't want to do something, or it can be quite fun when I'm gung-ho about something.

I wish it was coffee spoons...

T.S. Eliot once said, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.

I have always loved this quote because it seems to fit in nicely with my coffee-obsessed life, but I've decided to tweak it just a bit for my summer.

Rather than coffee spoons, I swear
I measure out my life with red pen ink refills and white out tape.

On my June bookshelf

I realize July is nearly over, but I hadn't yet posted my June reads, so I figured I'd hop to it before I lost another month to this speedy summer I seem to be having!

I traveled to Michigan with my Mom at the beginning of June, and travel almost always leads to extra reading for me thanks to hanging out in airports and not being a plane talker. I also tend to gravitate towards beachy chick lit and Young Adult reads, so don't be fooled into thinking I'm a fast reader...I just have the book tastes of a teenager when the sun is out and the temps are skyrocketing.

ps- Russian Winter was an incredible novel, and was neither beachy nor YA.  I definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes fiction that weaves together characters and stories from their present-day and their relevant past.

Your fondest of daydreams

Yesterday, Matchbook Magazine posted the following question on their Facebook page:

LET'S DISCUSS: In your fondest of daydreams, do you live in a quaint country cottage, a lavish city apartment or perhaps a cozy cabin by the seashore? We’d love to hear what your dream home is.

In my fondest of daydreams I definitely live in a city apartment, or even a townhome. I'm not sure if "lavish" would be its best description, but it would be a stylish, cosy, truly livable space with fabulous views...perhaps of the Sydney Harbour? I love the idea of an Australian highrise apartment with views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. I also love the idea of a city townhouse full of character, just down the street from a pretty park.

This being said, since it is my daydream, you wouldn't hear me say no to a quaint country cottage, perfect for family vacations. Right now, this cottage is near the sea because I love the idea of spending evenings on the dock, sipping wine with friends. But tomorrow this cottage may be tucked into the Tuscan country side, a short bike ride away from the vineyards; or it may be nestled into the Swiss Alps near a town with a medieval bridge.

Clearly my daydreams are taking me outside of the US, but that's the lovely thing about daydreams: you get to go wherever your heart desires in that moment.

So, tell me: where are your fondest daydreams transporting you to today?

Fill in the blank Friday

1. One of my happiest moments ever was coming through customs in Sydney, Australia to find Jamie and Nick waiting with huge smiles on their faces. Those first hugs were the best!

2. Summer is wedding season and weddings are a lovely celebration of a couple's love. I think weddings are gorgeous and can be fabulously lavish affairs, but are sometimes over done. I'm partial to a City Hall ceremony myself and will stand firm on only having the closest family and friends at my wedding (when/if I get married). A wedding is for you and your love, and those people who have helped you to become the couple you are. They aren't for family you hardly know, friends of parents you've never met and other "supposed-to" invites. *in my opinion*

3. This summer has been my busiest one yet, work wise, and has been surprisingly hot and humid. Granted, this is by CO standards, so the heat is to be expected, but the lasting humidity is a surprise.

4. My summer food of choice has been mangoes and caesar salads.

5. My summer uniform has been lots of sundresses, or jean capris, tank/tee, flip flops and a cardi in my purse for the evenings. I spend a lot of time in my running shorts, too, but that's not overly glamorous, although they are super comfy.

6. If I could spend the entire summer in one location I would choose Colorado, actually. I love Colorado summers, and compared with the other summers I've experienced (Midwest, East coast, tropical) I don't think I would trade mine in.

7. My summer anthem is either Young Blood by The Naked and Famous or Just A Little Bit by Kids of 88.

I want to curl up in this bed, amidst the oddly aesthetic clutter

(via Anthro)

Romanticized image: The seduction of perfection

The thing about Paris is that it's seductive. It's not the men or the dates or even the perfect kisses that have the power to seduce you...No, it's the city itself--the quaint alleyways, the picturesque bridges, the perfectly manicured gardens, the rainbow of flowers that bloom everywhere in graceful harmony in the springtime. It's the way the sparkling lights illuminate everything at night, the way the stars dangle over the city like someone placed them there by hand, the way the Seine ripples softly like a supple blanket stretched between the banks. It's the hidden cafes, the tiny, self-righteous dogs, and the cobblestone streets where you least expect them. It's the bright green of the grass, the deep blue of the sky, the blinding white of the Sacre-Coeur.

It is perfection. And in perfection, there is seduction. Because maybe if you stay long enough in a city that's so perfect, you'll find perfection in your own life, too.

-Kristin Harmel-

from The Art of French Kissing

What the day holds for me

Cups of Lady Grey tea with a splash of milk because even when it's in the 90's, I love the comfort of a hot beverage.

A quick lunch date with my Mom because she truly is one of my best friends.

Stolen moments for daydreaming; briefly giving into my unsettled feeling that tends to arise when I'm stressed. Australia has consumed me ever since I got back from my trip, and I can't decide if it's due to a shift in me or if it's because my mind and body need a little more then the 2 weeks I gave them to fully digest my experiences.

Juggling my Fire Invoice Auditor hat with my Fire Invoice Trainer hat...I love the additional help, but rarely give myself enough credit as a good teacher.

Reading this blog, which encourages, rather than helps, my unsettled feeling.

Contemplating yoga again.

Itching for an evening jog; just me, my music and my thoughts.

Wondering if I should pick up a bottle or two of wine on my way home. I'm all out and I like having them around in case I need to bring a bottle to a girls night or gift one (unopened, of course) to a friend, but the knowledge that I need to pack for my upcoming move has me second-guessing my usual actions.

Wishing I hadn't brought up the move...too stressful at the moment.

Wanting a chat with Jamie, but unable to find the time for more than just a few random snippets between our crazy schedules.

Needing to see Harry Potter 7.2. Again. I feel like a door of my childhood was just closed.

Fill in the blank Friday

1. I am a (morning, evening, middle of the day person) morning person in the sense that I love alone time in the morning. I like getting up on the earlier side in order to enjoy my coffee, have a leisurely start to my day and, if it's the weekend, fit in a walk or run before it gets too hot. I'm one of those people that once I'm awake, I'm awake, and I've never really enjoyed just lounging about in bed. I'd rather take my lounging to the couch or patio. Oh, and brekky is my favorite meal of the day!

2. My favorite Pandora stations are (currently) Arcade Fire, The Naked and Famous, Thompson Square, AWOLNATION and The Temper Trap. This will change as the season's change, but for the height of summer, that little quick mix gets me through the day at work.

3. 3 of my "must-have" songs for a road trip playlist are Don't Stop Believin' by Journey, Alone by Heart and The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. Jamie and I used to road trip to and from Minnesota several times a year in college and Journey and Heart are perfect for belting your heart out while driving with the windows down through the middle of Iowa, and Phantom is the best for keeping you awake at 2 am.

4. My favorite pattern is probably floral, although I do love a girlified lumberjack plaid in the Fall...what can I say, I'm a Colorado girl.

5. My favorite perfume is Burberry Brit or Body by Victoria, but I've also been wearing Incredible body mist from Victoria's Secret this summer, which I really like.

6. Rules are usually in place for a reason. Sometimes people get a little too carried away with rules, but I tend to lean more towards the things-are-fairly-black-and-white view of the world (not in everything!) so I am a fan of rules.

7. My most overused phrase or punctuation is either "seriously" or "literally", which yes, are words rather than a phrase, but they apply because I definitely use them a lot. I also love ellipses...!

A break from life to celebrate a birthday (and to eat sushi)

Work has been crazy. It's been frustrating. I've been on the edge of tears after finishing for the day a few too many times. I tend to turn into the ultimate hermit when my stress levels peak. I revert to my tried and true inner introvert, finding solace in my thoughts and the scenery on long walks, embracing the calm found in books, cups of tea and the occassional glass of wine. I don't have the urge to go out and surround myself with people. It can be too overwhelming for me.

But, there are those times when I pull myself out of my hermit-like ways and join the world again, despite my stress, or exhaustion or raging hormones. It's good for me, and you know what? I rarely regret my decision. That's what I have to remind myself: I love my friends and the energy we give off simply from being around each other. We understand the stressors in each of our lives and strive to push it away with laughter and good food...and we usually succeed.

My friend Lisa's birthday was on Tuesday, and even though I was *this* close to losing it over continued work problems and general discontent over still not feeling 100% after last week's cold, I made the time to join in for her sushi dinner at one of our favorite spots in town. I'm so glad that I did. We sat outside, people-watched, made friends with a spunky boxer puppy, enjoyed a glass of wine, ate copious amounts of sushi and I tried saki and mochi for the first time. It was the perfect interlude to celebrate my lovely friend, and to remind myself that I never want to let life pass me by.

Blogger troubles...

There seem to be some weird issues with Blogger not allowing people to comment on my posts...I'm looking into this and trying to figure out how to fix it.  Until then, please bear with me! 

And, if you really want to share a comment, shoot me an email: erin.cestlavie@gmail.com.  I always love hearing everyone's thoughts.

The balance between Summer and Fall

This weekend had me craving Fall just a little bit. Granted, I did spend some time laying out by the pool, keeping my tan up and eating frozen yogurt with my Mom, but thoughts of Fall are still in the back of my mind. I'm not sure if it's because I'm over the hot temps or if it's the afternoon mini monsoons we've been having, which make me crave tea and reading under blankets, but I think I've hit my Summer peak. I'm not ready for the days to get shorter, for the pool to close nor for my little patio garden to bite the dust, but I am more than ready for chilly, brisk mornings, pumpkin spice lattes and cardigans...you know, just a few of my favorite things. I'm also ready to rock the new skinny jeans I found for $9 (yes, you're reading that correctly) at the Ann Taylor Outlet this weekend. Perhaps that little deal is what's really putting me in this Fall mood...that and the pumpkin spice lattes, of course!

She had to give something up

She couldn't anymore be the same person she had been all along; she had to give something up to make room. But she stopped crying after that, and now she only cried once in a while, when she least expected it or when she finished books that she especially loved.

-Nicole Krauss-

from Man Walks into a Room

Fill in the Blank Friday

I can't believe it's been 10 days since I last blogged...so sorry, dear readers! My only excuses are the current insanity of my workload and the nasty cold I've been fighting this week; summer colds really are the worst! But, I'm starting to feel perkier and there's a small light at the end of the Fiscal Year-End tunnel that I'm currently stuck in at work, so here's hoping I get back into the swing of things quickly! But until then, I leave you with Lauren's summer-themed blanks!

1. My plans this summer include a lot of work (wildland fires like to burn in the summer, people!), Friday night dinners from the grill, reading as many mindless chick lit books as possible while laying out by the pool, morning hikes with my Mom and evening walks/jogs once it's cooled and the sun is setting.

2. The best summer I ever had was probably last summer because it started off with a trip to the Chesapeake with Corey and Matt and was full of hikes, Skype fests with Jamie and boys...although to be perfectly honest, I think all summers have their pros and cons.

3. Summer is reading on the patio, fresh herbs and tomatoes in the garden, late evening walks because the days are so long, fresh fruit, mountain drives, flowing sundresses, sandals, swimming, sun tea, lazy weekends after busy weeks and margaritas on the patio with friends.

4. My favorite summer food is fresh tomatoes and basil with salt, pepper and a drizzle of balsamic.

5. The best way to quench a summer thirst is with freshly brewed blackberry sage sun tea, or a frozen strawberry margarita.

6. My summer uniform consists of a lot of sundresses, running shorts and a tee when I'm lounging on the weekends, and as many bright colors and pretty patterns as I can incorporate into my wardrobe.

7. The best thing about summer is how long the days are. The extra hours of daylight encourage outdoor activity and fill the evenings with endless possibilities.