Pretty much sums it up...

Hello Old Friends...

Well it has been quite the little hiatus I have taken from Blogging. You all know how much I travel... so I found it fitting that I start writing again from the amazing and fantastic city of Sydney, Australia. I arrived the day before yesterday and am having a fantastic time. Before this I did a tour of the south island of New Zealand and that was really incredible as well. Here is where I have been and where I am going...

Here are all the places I have been...

(keep in mind this will be brief as I still have yet to load my own photos... those will come later!)

1. Lake Wanaka, NZ

2. Queenstown, NZ

3. Te Anu/ Milford Sound, NZ

4. Duneden, NZ

5. Sydney, Australia

Places I am headed to... Tomorrow the beach vacation starts!!

6. Gold Coast, Austrlia

and last but not least...

7. Byron Bay!

So I have another 7 days in Australia before I head back to the states! 

Thats all for now!

My sister, Molly and I outside Sydney Opera House at The Opera Bar

Happy Holidays from Sydney!!

What a week!

This week has been pretty crazy! I have spent a lot of time outside kayaking and hiking because as soon as chilly temperatures hit, I know I will be spending close to 8 months indoors!! boo.

Here are a few pictures from this week:

Hiking Mt. Pisgah- above the fog line...

Kayaking the Mill Race in Eugene- not the cleanest place we have kayaked, but it is quite a bit more convenient than driving 30 mins to our usual spots.

After Hours at Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the U of O. 

One of the prettiest little spots in town!

UCLA v OSU game! SO much fun and perfect weather!! We started at "Bruin Bash" the Alumni Party for UCLA (Matt's Alma Matter), and then headed to the stadium!

Its been a really fun week... lets hope the weather holds out a bit longer! :)

Really excited!!

I don't really talk about music all that often, and I am not one to freak out over a new album being released, but there is one major exception...

Coldplay

The new album comes out October 24th and I am really excited! Above is their new single! Have a listen... I really enjoy it! :) 

Meg's Picks: September

Hiatus over!! I have been so busy with my local blog "Chic in Eugene" that I have neglected my personal one! My apologies!! :) BUT... here is the latest installment of Meg's Picks! I have a great bunch of goodies to share with all of you!!

1. Precision in Pink Tweezerman Tweezers:
The annual breast cancer awareness limited edition pink ribbon tweezers! Every year these little babies come out right around the end of august and I LOVE them! This year they are particularly adorable!

2. Umbra Conceal U- invisible bookshelves

These are so fantastic and such a cool look! Gives the optical illusion that books are sitting on the wall without a shelf! You probably need a visual... 

This look is even cooler when you put up a several shelves and organize your books my color of the jacket/spine...

3. Stella and Dot: Brooches, bangles, and beads...

This one pretty much speaks for itself. While the resort line is not new... I just discovered it! So I am treating it like it is! :) Here are a few pieces that I just love!

4. Knock Knock Bookmark Pad:

These are hysterical! There are 3 different ones available! They say "Don't forget!", "You are HERE", and "Yes, I'm actually reading this!" They come 10 to a pack and are on heavy card stock...

5. Great Mustaches Mugs...

I am obsessed with these. I have one and I keep all of my make-up brushes in it! It is one of my favorite little knick knacks in my apartment. Looks fantastic sitting in my medicine cabinet!

6. Wall Cell Phone shelf:

No installation necessary...perfect for people like me who are constantly tripping over cords! These are fantastic little shelves that would also make a fantastic stocking stuffer at christmas!

7. Trader Joe's "Skinny Fries"

These little babies are tasty and guilt free!! 65pcs are only 100 calories! Try to find fries lighter than that!! 

8. Leila Jewelry:

These charming little necklaces are perfect girlfriend gifts. So kitschy and creative, its hard not to appreciate them!

9. Last but not least...big shocker here... MISSONI FOR TARGET!

I was definitely one of the people who showed up the morning of the 13th to pick myself up some fantastic pieces and a fraction of what it normally costs. If you can find it where you are, then buy it! Its a great deal on some really fantastic merchandise!!

Thats all for now!! :)

Love this...

Courtesy of my Aunt Leslie...  Who clearly has her act together... 

Serendipity...

I am headed on a road trip tomorrow and this was the fortune I got in my cookie tonight....

Can't be a bad sign :)

I hope you all have a lovely Labor Day weekend!

No words...

except for maybe: 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!!!!

My New Project... (the first ever SELF-guest blog post. weird.)

I have started a second blog! Its my new little project. 

http://www.chicineugene.blogspot.com

And I am guest posting myself... I know its super lame. Read it and if you like it, then go ahead and follow it... but if you don't live in Oregon it might not be of interest to you...

However... If you live in a small town and are going through the same thing I am then follow suit!! :)

Here we go with some shameless self-guest blogging...

Welcome to my first post of Chic in Eugene! This blog is for those of you who live, work, play, eat, and shop in our beloved town of Eugene, Oregon. I have started this blog because I heard a lot of friends and family in town complaining about having nothing in Eugene. I heard a lot of "Ugh! We have no good restaurants in this town!" or "I always have to go to Portland or Shop online because there is nothing in this town!"... well I refuse to believe that. As a local business owner I get a lot of "Thank you so much!" and "I wish we had more businesses like yours in town!". What always surprises me is that I know that there are some great shops and restaurants in Eugene. I eat and shop local and I think a lot of people just don't know what is out there!

When the recession hit, it hit Eugene HARD! Unfortunately, we lost a lot of good businesses because of it. However with all tough times... comes a light at the end of the tunnel. Out of necessity comes invention... my favorite example of course is the chocolate chip cookie which was invented during the great depression. No one was feasting on cake or elaborate desserts... out of necessity the simple cookie was invented to spread a little joy during a tough time for everyone. This is what is happening to the businesses of Eugene. The ones who are surviving or are new to the community are coming up with fun and exciting things... all they need is the community behind it.

Through this blog I will be featuring all of the fun finds that I love in this great city. Check out the post tag list when looking for a particular service or restaurant in Eugene (ie Spa, Shop, Eat, Relax, Explore, etc)

One more thing about this blog- I will only be featuring businesses in Eugene that are LOCAL! 100% made in Oregon, brick and mortar businesses. Please contact me at chic.in.eugene@gmail.com to have your business featured on my blog or to submit what you think is chic in eugene! No cost, no free goodies, I am doing this out of love for the town and to hopefully through this small page... I will do my part in helping the local economy, and also help the people of Eugene find the goodies they have been yearning for.

Lets bring some love back to local businesses here in Eugene!

According to Arsenio Hall, my friend has Pippa Butt...

My friend Bina was on Access Hollywood today!!!

She is the second "Bride"... The one with the "Pippa Butt" :)

‘Access Hollywood Live’ | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos

(Click on the link above to view)

She also has a Fasion Blog called- LA Glossy, all you bloggers should check her out!

http://laglossy.com/

She has also graciously promoted Pillow Talk on her blog this year!

Thanks girl... and congrats!!

Meg's Picks: August

Back by popular demand... Here are my picks for the month of August! For the new readers... The monthly "Oprah's Favorite Things" list of my blog.

1.OPI: Road House Blues Nail Lacquer:
I hate colored nail polish... I am someone who sticks with reds, pinks, and french styled nails. I do not deviate... with the exception of this color. It is such a pretty navy! It is dark dark navy with a purple hue. It looks so good on my nails that I definitely picked myself up a bottle.

2.Bobble Water Bottles

Revolutionized my water drinking... I know this sounds silly- but these water bottles are amazing!! They have a filter IN the bottle... so you can just fill it up and it filters as you drink!! Its ridiculous!

3. Watermelon Salad

What a treat on a hot day! Sure to wow guests at your next summer BBQ!! Also perfect for bridal and baby showers!! Ingredients can also be skewered and dressed shish-kabob style!

4. Chic Buds: Chic Boom Portable Speaker

Not only are these cute and can be kept on your keys... but they are also CRAZY loud! I was shocked when I hooked this little guy up to my Ipod! The retail for around $24 bucks and come in all different designs and colors. Fantastic little gadget to keep in your bag when you need music... also an amazing girlfriend or bridesmaids gift. 

5. Ted Baker Swimwear:

In old fashioned styles from the 1960's brought back to life in new fun prints. Also check out his line of dresses and tops...  love all his designs! I walked into the Ted Baker shop in Las Vegas and pretty much lost it. 

 
6. H Studio Furniture
IN LOVE... fun new use of the traditional tufted with retro lucite. lots of fun fabrics, patent leather, and fresh colors. This was my favorite show room at the Las Vegas Design Center...

7. Grapefruit Spritzers.

1 part vodka, 1part grapefuit, 2 parts club soda, squeeze of lime- garnish with a strawberry. Delicious and only 80 calories! They have been my go to beverage this Summer!!

8. Perception Kayaks: Lady Tribute 12.0

I want one... I am getting into kayaking and I found this baby blue at backcountry.com. I am hoping that I can grab it in an after summer sale and save it for next summer. It is ergonomically designed to be easier paddling for women. Less cumbersome and very light! Also if you kayak like me... there is plenty of room for a totable jug of sangria and snacks. 

9. Philosophy: Amazing Grace... the return of an old favorite

I love this scent. I used to wear it all the time and then I switched to something new when I ran out. I decided that its time to go back to it! It is crisp and refreshing. Its a great light scent year round. If you don't want to make the full switch to the perfume, then I suggest getting the Shampoo, body wash, and bubble bath.

                         

10. I saved the BEST for last... 

I recently had an unfortunate incident involving a disgusting red cocktail at the Bellagio Hotel and my Louis Vuitton... I will blog on that later! Needless to say it was so awful that the Bellagio Hotel offered me compensation for the destroyed bag as well as 2 nights stay at the Bellagio next time I am in Las Vegas... ANYWAY- I have been shopping around and I have decided that Louis Vuitton had been overdone. I see it everywhere- and if you know me at all -the last thing I do is blend. 

So here is what I have chosen to replace my Louis Vuitton...

TaDa!! The Emilio Pucci Moonshine Tote. 

Not Trendy, but fashion forward, and in some of falls hottest colors.

Not something you would see on a girl trying to play it safe.

This is a bag that is completely ME! I can't wait for my package to come from E.P. in the mail!!

Thats all for now...thanks for reading P&P!