List Finalized...

I like things.
A lot.
But I like these even more.
In fact, instead of all the gifts in the world, I'ld take 12 monthly dates with each of these precious people.

Just saying...
How I miss this girl!! This was taken on our Independence Celebration Weekend in July. Still keeping you in my prayers every day Leslie {really Lisa but thats what I call her:)}!! I hope you get well soon!!
Absolutely the BEST night of my life. My 23rd birthday was epic thanks to these two!! I absolutely LOVE my Auburn girls!!

Most fun weekend of my life...celebrating Abby's last few days as a VanderWoude! I love our fun FB message convo's girl!!

My Lyrs!!!

Miss these two like crazy!!

The famous trio.

Also known as The Leslies.
We always come prepared with Sharpies and NEVER pay for fun!!

Sara, one of the few who comment on this joke of a blog.

We've been friends for like FOREVER!!

STILL waiting on you and Tyler to start a blog.

Absolutley my favorite girls in the world!

NEVER a dull moment!

LOTS AND LOTS of memories!!

TOO many funny stories!!

My Sassies!!!

They're very close to my heart.

Santa,

I've been good this year. AND it won't cost you a thing. Please grant me my wish!

Love,

Rach

Getting Organized...

There really is no better existence than one with order. I see value in mixing things up every now and then and EVERYONE knows I LOVE spontaneity, but there are certain things that should FOREVER stay organized.

Obviously, a woman's closet is the number ONE spot that should be organized. Personally, I cannot even function if mine is out of whack. Every item has its spot. And if anything has been secretly worn and placed back by a certain younger sister, I will instantly know. I'm OCD...its how I function.

But even if you aren't OCD like me, I can't help but think that you would find major value in keeping your clothes neat and orderly. I should probably start a side business {a la Kim Kardashian...you know that's how she got her start, by organizing celebrities closets!!}. I hear there are LOTS of women out there who just are clueless.

Ever watched the behind the scenes of reality shows {especially old school Laguna Beach} where they show the cameras their closets?? I personally LOVE these segments, by the way. What you'll find is a bunch of clothes thrown haphazardly on old worthless hangers. Racks looking like they're just throwing up clothes. No system in place. Just fabric everywhere. I cringe even thinking about it.

But I can't help but wonder, how in the world do you pick out an outfit? How do you even find what you're looking for? Don't you forget what you have if its hidden in a pile of jeans??

I may be early for the Spring Cleaning post, but I thought I'd share these TDF closets I've kept in a file. {**SIDENOTE: I did a closet post over a year ago, just fyi} You'll see several of these pictures on one of my favorite blogs' recent posts. I didn't steal the idea. I actually have a reason for this exact post.

The theme is organization. If you look to the left hand side, I've re-organized all the links to the blogs I follow according to theme. There's a separate section for each of the following: fashion, photography, home decor and family blogs. I had NO clue how many blogs I regularly follow until I set out to complete this daunting task. And scarily enough, there are PLENTY more I follow.

So for all of you who actually read this shenanigans, you're welcome!!

Now, time to enjoy some INCREDIBLE pictures!!

Prada Love Affair...

If these don't stop you dead in your tracks, I really don't know what will. I believe these fall under The Zoe's "I DIE" category...

THANK YOU PRADA!

Dear Coworkers...

Dear Co-workers,

I wasn't planning on giving individual gifts since we are supposedly doing a secret Santa exchange. That really hasn't taken off so much and today I found an idea in The Food Network Magazine that just sparked my giving spirit. I'll be honest, it really wasn't an issue of me feeling generous, but more an issue of me feeling "crafty."

And hey, you deserve something sweet for putting up with me 40+ hours a week {more for you Crystal's.}. I can be obnoxious, I'll admit it. My competitiveness with other offices {especially JAX B} is downright annoying and over the top. And my stupid questions are never ending. And my comments after calls are just uncalled for. And my 2 month wet hair phase. And my unprofessionalism a majority of the time. And my contributions to conversations that are about Ryan {I get it, we're ALL over him}. And my obnoxiously cheesy emails and over-use of smiley faces and LETS GO FIGHTERS at the end of ever email I send out. And my OCD nature with reports. And demanding WAY more information to compile WAY too many reports that are not always needed.

So for all these things, I now realize that I owe you WAY MORE!! This will have to do though. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannaka {is that how you spell it...Hines???}, Happy Kwanza and Happy every other holiday under the sun, to you and yours!!

Hope they taste as delish as they look!!

Love,

Rachel

******

So, here's what I've made for the coworkers. I take no credit for these. I got it STRAIGHT from a magazine!!





****PS this will hopefully be the last time I post low quality pictures from the Old point and shoot. Tomorrow, I get my baby {aka my grown up camera}!!!

They Deserve an Introduction...

I have no clue how many of you guys pay attention to the links on the left hand side of my blog that are linked to my favorite blogs. But, I know for me personally, I LOVE clicking on other people's to see what intrigues them.

Recently, I've come across several goldmines and have added them to my list. I know at some point I'm going to have to get in there and actually organize them based off the subject matter. I'm instantly drawn to 3 kinds of blogs: photography, decorating and fashion.

Today, I wanted to highlight some of the new fashion blogs that I've fallen head over heels for. There are certainly LOTS and LOTS more out there, but these are a few that really caught my eye. The thing that I love the most about these blogs is how these girls take pictures of the outfits they put together. Its not just pictures copied and pasted from different online stores. Since I'm a photography junkie, I especially love when the pictures are creative. My love affair with these kinds of blogs started with Cupcakes and Cashmere {which I mention fairly frequently and have TONS of her pictures saved}. I'm venturing out and hope you enjoy these as well!!

True North Style

Its pretty obvious what I love about her site. She has quite the insider scoop on the most fabulous city in the US!!

Swank Heights
She has to be the most gorgeous Asian girl ever!! And her style is adorable too!!

So. Chic
This is normally an events planning blog, but every now and then, she sneaks in a fashion post that features items like the ones above

Where Did U Get That

Much like my ultimate favorite, Cupcakes and Cashmere, she always gets it right!

This Chicks Got Style
The cutest girl living in Amsterdam, I'm sure!!

And A Few More...

I spent the afternoon working in the most terrible place in the world {aka Panama City...gross, definitely not by choice} and when I got home, I went straight to the www to find some more pretty things. All these are ridiculously out of my price range. The majority are from Shopbop or Nordstrom. **Sidenote: I'm trying to get better about labeling my pictures with sources, names, prices, etc. Sorry, from now on, I should be able to point you in the direction if something catches your eye.

These pictures snapped me out of my panama city coma. I think I was spent when I drove by La Vela...

The List Goes On...

In the spirit of Christmas, I thought I'ld post a few pretty gift items that are sure to make most any girl smile.

I snuck this one in here simply because I like the picture. This really makes me miss all my friends back home for some reason. Down here in swamp land, there aren't too many opportunities to completely let loose with clothes. The looks I get for wearing anything out of the ordinary simply make it not worth it. I miss being back home where creativity is valued. And of course I miss all my girlfriends who encourage it!!