Inspiration: Role Models + Caffeine

January 25, 2013April 10, 2017 ~ Lydia ~ Leave a comment

This week at Gaia Flow Yoga (you should know upfront, I drank the punch and am addicted to everything about this place), our yogi practice was focused on tapas; fiery discipline. So far this has been my favorite niyama we’ve had and I worked to apply it to my week. When I made my inspiration list this week, I realized that tapas played a big role in the three people I listed as inspiring me this week. My role models tend to be creative people with the initiative and drive to make their vision happen. And to follow in their footsteps, I think practicing fiery discipline every week is the first step.

John Fullbright.

I saw him in concert almost by accident last weekend and am fully obsessed. Into Americana? You’ll be into him. He’s also pretty funny and a fellow Okla-homie. So now when he becomes huge, you can be like “Oh I knew him way back when.”

Saul Leiter.

He’s going to be featured in a documentary called In No Great Hurry at the Thin Line Film Fest in Denton. Watch the trailer, I don’t have much to add. He just seems amazing.

Bob Dylan.

Cappaccinos.

537040_137246549768105_230758115_n — I worked for Starbucks for about 10 months. Since then, I’ve discovered what a cappaccino actually is and I’m a tad obsessed. I love the little tea cups they come in, and my caffeine high afterwards. So far, the best is Ascension Coffee in the Design District but I want to try every cappaccino in Dallas. You wish I was kidding. To fuel my addiction, my roommate recently purchased an espresso maker and a milk-frother – but an old fashion version that feels more like cooking. It is delicious AND I can have a free cappaccino whenever my caffeine addicted heart desires. Since I have been practicing my fiery discipline and actually waking up when I want to, I’ve enjoyed quite a few cappuccinos this week.

Appointments, Dylan, Knots and Cooking.

January 21, 2013April 10, 2017 ~ Lydia ~ Leave a comment

This is a week of appointments. Well, of two. Westley and I both have check ups with the vet/doctor.. Finally. They are both long over due but are such a pain to schedule. Why are these offices even open during the day? A vet and doctors office open from 4-10 PM would suit me just fine.

I started reading Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan about a century and a half ago. I think it’s actually been about two months, but the holidays and work put me to sleep before my head even hit the pillow to start reading. Consequently, I’m only about a fourth of the way through. I never understand what it is I do after yoga or running during the week. Where do those 5 hours go before bed? Well, this week they are going to you, Bob.

Master the top knot bun. That’s right. That is on my goal list this week. I’m not even embarrassed by how shallow that might be because I want to figure out how to do one that bad. It just looks so simple.. and yet so complicated. Wish me luck.

I happen to hate cooking. I also happen to be making a larger effort to eat better, as seen in my New Years Resolution. I am quickly learning that these two sentiments don’t go hand in hand. To eat well, you need to actually cook something. For dinner, I will often just have a bowl of cereal if I do a late yoga class or a bowl of pasta after I run. Nothing that takes over 10 minutes. For this week I have spinach and grilled chicken coming my way. I am allowing myself to have pasta with the chicken, but am generally trying to cut down this week. Baby steps, babes, baby steps.

Sundays are for Lovers (or cleaning, nails, and tea)

January 20, 2013April 10, 2017 ~ Lydia ~ Leave a comment

Well, I had one of those terrible moments where your brunch plans get cancelled that morning. I was slightly disappointed, but then decided to be glad to be saving the money that I already spent on my new backpack from Urban Outfitters for my pending Europe Trip. Then, in true Finding Tiffanys fashion, I took advantage of the free time! I came home from playing at the dog park with Westley, whipped up some eggs, toast and a homemade cappuccino. I painted my nails, caught up on Bloomberg Businessweek, shampooed the kitchen chairs and now I am enjoying a homemade Vanilla Roiboos Tea latte and, of course, messy hair. Throw in some Sex and The City Season 6, Frank Sinatra on vinyl, an absolutely beautiful Dallas day, a cleaner closet, and you have the most perfect Sunday morning. There is no other point to this post other than the picture above is the background on my second computer screen (from BeFrassy.net, I’m incredibly jealous of her life) and is exactly what I’m doing today. I feel like I should probably make some sort of social plans later, but I am loving the quiet.

Images (Frassy)

Brunching Dallas

December 6, 2012April 10, 2017 ~ Sarah ~ 2 Comments

I first heard the term “brunching” in New York City.

Lydia and I were ‘warned’ (as if late breakfast could ever be a bad thing) before a visit to New York last April that brunching was truly epic in the city. Something about turning the word into a verb (already a fond pastime of mine) made the idea of brunch extra charming, and I was definitely intrigued by what could make a meal so “epic.” Long story short, we discovered said epic-ness in our own way and have pretty much been hooked ever since. Our ongoing addiction to prosecco only predisposed us to this obsession.

So when it became clear that Dallas was going to be my city for awhile, I set out on a mission to become an avid bruncher…well, as avid as one can be on a tight (read: negative) budget.

I’m proud to say I have made this dream a pretty regular reality. It’s been like living in a whole new city as I get to know different parts of Dallas with each restaurant. I’m a sucker for sugar, carbs, a good soy latte and affordable mimosas, but my favorite part of brunching is the company. Let’s face it, brunching by yourself is really just eating and drinking breakfast a little later than usual. Getting to spend quality time with both my longtime and new favorite people has gone a long way in helping me find my Tiffany’s.

Here’s some of the Dallas brunch spots I’ve hit so far:

Bloody Mary’s and Mom on the Vickery Park patio (with apple and pear french toast)

Vickery Park Brunch

Company Cafe at Katy Trail (The ultimate A+ menu for both my gluten-free friend and full-carb-eating self after morning yoga at Klyde Warren Park)

Company Cafe

Oddfellows with an old friend – a beautiful 78-degree December day exploring Bishop Arts…Some pancakes, breakfast tacos, gouda grits, lattes and mimosas later.

Oddfellows

Any recommendations for where I should brunch next?

Dolly Python

November 19, 2012April 10, 2017 ~ Sarah ~ Leave a comment

A friend has been telling me for weeks I should go to a place called Dolly Python. So when I happened to see its sign across the street when dropping off some things at Goodwill, I couldn’t not go in.

I was picturing another cute, Dallas boutique with a hipster flair, and what I found instead was so much better. A cross between a vintage clothing/consignment store, record shop and Austin’s Uncommon Objects, Dolly Python was full of fantastic thrift store finds at vintage prices and the kind of unique items you can’t help but want for the ‘I found this treasure’ feeling and cute factor.

The people were unique to match, and there were a lot of them….My spontaneity led me to stumble across what was apparently an in-store special event, as an employee dressed as a life-size taco offered me free drinks from their keg and collection of whiskey. Special event indeed.

Snail Mail

November 14, 2012April 10, 2017 ~ Lydia ~ Leave a comment

If you’ve never been in the $1 section of Target, you’re missing out. There’s so many things you didn’t even know you needed. Trust me. With this holiday season coming up, there’s no better way to blow through your budget.

Kidding, but only a little.

Although the adventure into this danger zone usually results in the purchase of baskets, random “necessities” and holiday decor I will throw out when I move again, it’s still fun nonetheless. In fact, my roommate happened to find these little lovelies and decided we should send out change of address notes to our friends and family.

It took me about three weeks to actually getting around to writing them and then I ran out of stamps, but it’s been super fun regardless. Of the ones I was able to send out, I’ve received two cards back! One from my Grandma with whom I am now an established pen pal. I don’t know about your G-ma, but mine doesn’t own a computer and only has her phone on when she’s calling someone. So to be able to have this outlet to keep in touch is really great. Plus, she’s an artist and always sends the prettiest notecards – sometimes homemade! I love it. Another Oklahomie from college sent me a note back and was beyond thrilled for an excuse to venture into the stationary section of her Target as well. There’s something so special about opening your mailbox and finding something besides spam or worse, bills (except when there’s a Free People or Anthropologie catalog…that’s the kind of ‘spam’ I can’t get enough of).

Sending out cards also was a great excuse to gather everyone’s mailing address! So that next time you want to send them a birthday surprise, you don’t have to awkwardly ask for their address and make up a bogus excuse like you plan on getting married sometime in the next few decades and figure you should start gathering now (tried that. didn’t work).

M83 at Palladium

October 26, 2012April 10, 2017 ~ Finding Tiffany's ~ Leave a comment

“It’s mainly about dreams, how every one is different, how you dream differently when you’re a kid, a teenager, or an adult.” – Anthony Gonzalez, M83

This month, we went to arguably one of the best concerts ever.

M83 came to Dallas, which gave us a lovely excuse to check out Palladium Ballroom, a little of the South Dallas neighborhood around Sarah’s apartment and of course, M83.

The previous concert champion was Third Eye Blind, who Lydia saw in college and Sarah saw the summer after (for only 8 bucks – thanks Taste of Addison). The energy of the crowd made it clear everyone had been looking forward to this show ever since they bought their tickets, too, and there’s just something about music from that ‘90s-early 2000’s that hits everyone’s nostalgic side just right…

But we digress.

We had somewhere between low and completely neutral expectations as we walked into Palladium.

Some of M83’s earlier albums veered almost too…different…for a concert? Love different. Love chill. But all this at a concert sounded like a potential recipe for sleep.

But – the show was electrifying. (Literally, it was quite the light show). The band was so, so much better live than on any recording, and you could tell they were having a complete blast on stage. The whole concert seemed so organic, like they were creating the music from scratch on the stage and surprising even themselves with every sound and step.

Lydia’s hooked and aching to delve into the details of their music – exploring how their music has developed and changed directions over the years to where they’ve arrived at today. Sarah, forever a wanna-be child of the ‘80’s, is content to blast it from her new car speakers and bask in the ‘80’s nostalgia.

Bottom line? Crazy talented band. Top notch concert. Good crowd and venue.

Old Home Supply

September 10, 2012April 10, 2017 ~ Lydia ~ 2 Comments

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I’m moving into a new apartment at the end of the month and like any red-blooded American woman, I’m stalking Pinterest like I’m waiting to get the winning lottery numbers. My biggest issue with all these overly zealous DIY-ers is that they make everything sound so simple. Like finding a door for a “simple” headboard or wood pallets for well, anything. I’ve always wondered where these people find this wonderland of cheap wood.

Well, this weekend I learned that these places actually exist. It’s called Old Home Supply in Fort Worth – worth the drive. It’s pretty amazing. They gather doors, cabinets, old window frames, mantles and other hardware pieces from historic homes in the area that get torn down. They have three buildings, and you can mosey from building to building as you please. The employees are all really nice, friendly and want to help you with whatever project you are embarking upon. I brought a frame and a window frame to the front to ask how much they were, and the woman at the register guided me to the one that I purchased (below). They are also so trusting. She had me go ahead and put the window frame in my car while I shopped around, and I could pay for it when I was finished. She said she had wanted the window frame but couldn’t find a place in her house for it, and she loves when things she likes goes to someone who will enjoy it as much as she would – I assured her that she would not be disappointed. I’m a sucker for good customer service.

I did have some Pinterest-inspired moments of my own. I picked up this amazing old window frame for $20. It’s minty green, the paint is chipping like crazy and I LOVE it. The plan is to take some hemp, string it across, paint some clothespin and pin up some postcards and pictures. I’ve also learned that you can print Instagram photos at camera specialty stores, so that’s on the list as well. In an effort to be original, I picked up a few knobs for my dresser that I want to give a quick makeover. I’ll need to supplement with some unoriginal Anthropologie hardware, but I’m not looking to turn down an excuse to just be in that heavenly store.

My bonus adventure was stopping at Berry Good Buys on my way. I purchased this amazing lamp for $8. It needs a little work… to make it well, work. But I don’t think that is too difficult? Wish me luck with these projects.. the last DIY project that worked out for me was a science fair project. About mold.