"Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky!" - Dr. Seuss

Oh the places we will go! Sorry for the absence - back for the New Year!

Recently in my life there have been a lot of lasts... My last football game as a Texas Longhorn student, my last test ever in college, my last day of my internship, the last time I will have to take the city bus to school (new car!), my last day of college ever. For those of you who have been around me, you know I have taken every opportunity to make sure everyone is aware of all these lasts and has allowed me to sulk in it.

At the same time, there have also been so many firsts recently that it has been hard to dwell on all the lasts. I graduated from college, my parents bought me my first car, I made it a year with my first boyfriend, I took my first big girl job in Austin, TX and now for the first time I have to pay ALL my own bills.

At this very moment I am in the new car (black Kia Koupe with a cute Rhinestone license plate in case you are looking for us on the road) with Papa Gatz at the wheel East bound I-10 for 15 hours to Austin, TX. Four years ago my mom, dad and I made this very same drive to drop me off to college for the first time... I swore to myself I would never drive that miserable, never-ending stretch of two lane highway ever again. Here I am, about one hour in. And just like four years ago, I am bawling like a baby as I waved goodbye to the Gatz family! I went to Texas for college and had an amazing time, but I always knew in the back of my head that I would graduate and move back home. I am in such a weird state of mind realizing that is not happening. My dad just handed me a tissue and rested his hand on my shoulder to tell me, "you have a lot of new, exciting and positive things happening in your life right now and you're going to be great!" I shrugged him off with tears of being so far from my family but I know he is right. This is everything I could have ever asked for - how lucky am I to have a good job right out of college and to be ready to take on whatever comes my way without being tied down in any way shape or form. How lucky am I to have amazing parents and a wonderful family to love and support me in whatever I choose to do (even though mom is heartbroken I picked Texas). How lucky am I to have a boyfriend who would do anything to keep me happy and laughing and a solid handful of friends who will be there forever. How lucky am I to be healthy and alive!

My best friend gets annoyed with me because she claims I am the luckiest person she knows and she comments that I always get what I want. (most recently this was discussed in Vegas when I had a good stroke of luck) but honestly I am a believer in hard work, treating those the way you wish to be treated, and knowing that everything happens for a reason. Sounds cheesy, I know. But truly ever since the fifth grade I have believed everyone is right where they are supposed to be - I was the only one out of all my friends who didn't get on the same little league team as everyone else - but the team I was on beat out my friends for the championship! Because you see - some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted, but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see it is what you would have wanted had you known.

So, "For each petal on the Shamrock, this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck and happiness for today and everyday!" - Irish Blessing

Love, n

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Ladies and Gentleman,
My favorite time of year has finally arrived.... drumroll please...

THE RED HOLIDAY CUPS AT STARBUCKS

ARE HERE!!!!

If you know me... you know that I am addicted to two things.
1) Iced Grande Soy Chai's from Starbucks
2) Chipotle (Chipotle blog coming soon)

But yes, sadly, I spend way too much money and consume way too many calories at the Starbucks right around the corner from my house, and the one right around the corner from my work. This whole right around the corner thing is no coincidence either, since Starbucks pretty much happens to be right around just about any corner (how convenient)!

So turn on your Christmas Jams (preferably by the Glee Cast), put on your Northface and Ugg boots with the fur and head on over to that Starbucks right around the corner. Don't be such a Grinch - I am all for starting the holidays early! A White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha or a Pumpkin Spiced Latte will surely make you whistle while you work.

Stay Warm,
~n

Scarves, Hoods and Hats (Oh My!)

I work for wedding coordinator extrodanaire's at Caplan Miller Events who asked me to make an appearance as a guest blogger on the CME blog. My initial reaction was, who me? I just do this blogging thing for fun... and now I have to do it for real? Oh, and it gets better... I was instructed to guest blog about fashion. Just so we are clear here the only real fashion sense I have comes from my roommates closets, but I agreed nervously and here it is. You can also check it out on the CME Blog too!

November is here, it’s finally starting to feel like fall, and I am welcoming it with open arms (and a scarf around my neck)! The chill is in the air, and one of the most essential and affordable fashion-do’s for just about any outfit this season is a scarf. Whatever shape, size or style you choose, it is an easy statement piece that is versatile and most importantly, affordable. Even better, a scarf always fits, no matter how many White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha's you throw back! The options are endless, but the most challenging part is figuring out how to wear it. Admit it ladies, how many times have you stood in front of the mirror in countless head bobs in an attempt to tie it around your neck just right? No fear! Guest blogger, NG is here! As a serial scarf wearer myself, I thought I would share with you a few of the sexy and simple ways to string your scarves this season:

1) The No-Tie Tie
Long scarves are the rage, and it doesn’t get any easier than this. Just drape it around your neck and presto scarf-o! It’s great to wear when you have on a necklace or you want to break up a monochromatic outfit with a pop of color.
2) The Simple Knot Tie
Drape your scarf around your neck and tie a simple knot (like the first step of tying your shoes.) You can do this people! Now rearrange the tails to drape one in front of the other instead of them lying side to side.
Perfect for a casual outfit, to spice up a t-shirt and jeans.

3) The Backward Tie
Drape a scarf backwards around your neck with the center against your throat and tails over your shoulders. Take the tail over your right shoulder and bring it across your back and over your left shoulder, so it falls down the left side of your chest. Repeat with the opposite side.
Wear instead of a necklace – or my specialty – when you spill something down the front of your shirt!
4) The Belted Scarf
I have seen this fashion all over the runways recently. Wear a scarf long enough to be tucked into your belt at your hips. The winter prints this season are flowers, animal print and plaid. The must have colors are mustard, army green, orange and blue.

5) The Slip Knot Tie
Fold the scarf in half and drape around your neck so both tails hang over one shoulder, and the folded center over the other shoulder. Open up the folded center to create a buttonhole that you can thread the tails through.
This is a great look with your hair up, big earrings, or when it's just plain cold outside.



Tie Away,
~n

Happy Birthday Baby Sis!

Happy Birthday to my baby sister, Katherine! She turns 19 today! Good thing she grew out of this mullet hair cut. We all looked more like boys than girls when we were younger, thanks a lot, Mom.

Loathe List #1

Two posts in 24 hours people. A new record for me, but I must share because I am about to explode. If I don't have a chance to rant and rave and get this off my chest somehow, I might scream out loud sitting at my desk at work. Here is a visual:

Like I said in my first post, I am sure at times I will use this blog to vent. Here it is. I will borrow this idea from my friends Cristina and Katie, and begin creating a loathe list. 

Here is #1: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME ENJOY HURTING OTHER PEOPLE'S FEELINGS AND/OR DELIBERATELY RUINING THEIR DAY.

Yes, I am definitely a sensitive sally, so I am trying to practice letting things go, but sometimes I don't get how people can just go on living their day with a smile on their face when they deliberately ruined someone else's. I have a few recent accounts of this happening to me and today is one of them. 

I got my first parking ticket. Was it deserved? Let's just say I knew I was pushing my luck having been squeezing into this extra small parking spot for the last two days. It was one of those bad boys that says you can't park past the sign... well, there was definitely a space big enough for a car, but my boyfriend added this monster grill guard to his truck so he could meat out and run things over. So Cool. Anyway, about 1/4 of the truck (the ticket says 1/2 the truck, but it was definitely not 1/2) was past the no parking sign, so I wasn't completely surprised when I saw the little sucker hanging on my windshield.

BUT THEN... scribbled at the bottom of the ticket were the abbrev. words that took a phone call with my dad to figure out what it actually said, "Compl. cal'd iN". 

HA!!! SOMEONE CALLED IN TO COMPLAIN THAT A TRUCK WAS PARKED 1/4 OF THE WAY BEHIND A NO PARKING SIGN?? REALLYY?? Obviously, I couldn't find a spot buddy, so I was squeezing in wherever I could, otherwise I wouldn't have risked parking 1/4 of the way behind the sign so that someone who wanted to ruin someone else's day could call and complain. I wasn't hurting anyone, or bothering anyone. If anything, I was being a good samaritan and making room for as many cars to find a parking spot as possible. 

Well there goes $30 to the City of Austin, among the many other taxes and bills I paid this month. $30 that could have been well spent on beverages to make me feel better tonight. Hope the squealer feels better about himself now. Then again, the truck is not even mine... so maybe if I just ignore the ticket it will go away? Not like William ever reads my blog anyway... so he'll never know :) tee hee.

enjoy life. keep loving. and don't destroy the pretty things for others by deliberately ruining their day! -n

Spotted!

Spotted. life, love and all things pretty has it's first follower. Yes, that's right upper east siders, meet B. (Bebe not Blair). Word has it, you're no one until you're talked about, and after my last blast, everyone was abuzz. It looks like the jury's still out for most of you on whether or not this blog is going to be one for the books. Except B, she's on board for all the tweets and deets. Bon Appetit, B. Now what about the rest of you minions?

Alert! This just in... B accepted into Nursing School in Scottsdale for the Spring, and N on a mad hunt for a fashion-savy job in the wedding and event planning world. The fall semester is coming to a close, and as everyone knows, it looks like our two favorite girls are down to their last days before the College Life turns into Real Life. Unless... could it be? Rumor has it N and B changed their relationship status from besties to roomies. We think we've died and gone to heaven. N and B together again? Not so fast... (we wish!) But how is B's first day of nursing school, or N's first real job supposed to matter if this blog isn't around to tell people? So get ready, I'm about to take this blog to a whole new level. Smile for your close up.

B has always been there to hear about N's stories that sizzle and drama that fizzles. Old Will, bad Will, new Will, good Will... love, life and all things pretty. Thanks, B. For everything. But no matter what the new season brings, or what part of the country we end up in... find cover upper east siders, because this catastrophic duo is looking to take on the world.

This poll is now closed, and everyone wins... hmm could this be the start of something new? That's a secret I'll never tell... 

Au revoir!

you know you love me.

xo xo,

N

hello! welcome! nice to meet you!

HI! I have been contemplating starting my own blog for a while now... Actually I realized when I went to create one today, that I had already registered a blog a year ago, but never had the guts to actually write anything. I just don't think I am funny or entertaining enough to actually interest anyone. But today I decided to just do it, and see what it becomes. Maybe I will update daily, maybe never again, but here it goes...

For my first post I wanted to tell you a little about me... I wanted to show you a part of my life - a part I love so dearly - a part which also happens to be pretty! (hence the name of my blog) I contemplated a catchy, awkward title for my first post like "Surrounded by Sisters" (you'll see what I mean below) but I just decided to keep it simple and to the point. Although I will warn you now, you will find I am never really very simple, or to the point. I tend to ramble about uninteresting things, I get really excited about things normal people don't, and I get confused trying to get all my thoughts and emotions from my head into words.

"Surrounded by Sisters" hah!

All my life I have been surrounded by sisters and all things girl. Above are my actual sisters - a.k.a: The Gatz Girls. They are a big part of my life! I love them so much, and aren't they so pretty? :) We are all very close in age and as I get older they are becoming my best friends.

From L-R:
Katherine: the youngest and also the trouble maker of the family. She is the feisty one, who uses the "baby of the family" card to get away with anything, but always keeps everyone on their toes and laughing.

Me: known as the "mom", always the last one out the door, the rule follower, who can always talk her way in/out of just about any situation

Annie: the oldest and the first to do anything, has it the hardest from mom and dad, plus she had to share a room with me all her life. We all follow her good example... she is the hard working, stylish sister with a plan (which I always seem to mess up or get in the way of by stealing the family car or waking her up when I come home at night - sorry sis)

Laura: the typical middle child that accidentally gets left out or forgotten. We poke fun at her for mixing up her words and getting everything backwards, but she is the most genuine person I know who would do ANYTHING for her family and friends.

(I know my mom and dad will comment that they weren't mentioned in my first blog... they will be! They just don't fit into the the awk "Surrounded by Sisters" theme.)

 THEN.... there's my other sisters....

Yes, since you probably couldn't guess, they are not only my sorority sisters, but my roommates too! Yes, all 8 of us live together under the same roof that we self-proclaimed to be called, "Beach House" because of the sandy colored paint and blue doors. These sisters are also a huge part of my life, whom I love so dearly and whom are definitely really pretty! We have a hard time getting all 8 of us in a picture. In fact out of the 8,000+ photos (no exaggeration) in my iphoto, the picture above is THE ONLY one with every single one of us, and unfortunately not a very good one.

From L-R ish:
Sarah: the sweetest and most innocent one! True, but don't get me wrong. She is definitely sweet, and definitely innocent... you will not hear a foul word out of this southern belle's mouth... but don't get any sort of stereotype in your head. This girl knows how to have a good time and is feisty when necessary.

Courtney: the brains of the bunch and a sense of style with a punch! Smart and classy with a side of sassy, yes please! She could keep me entertained for hours... and I wouldn't even have to say a word.

Sarah: you probably already know her. She knows everyone! The friendliest, most outgoing of our crew. Whatever you need her for, she will do it. Her days are jam-packed, but she does it all ... we all have no clue how.

Brielle: she may be the smallest, (i wouldn't suggest borrowing her miniature blankets when you're cold) but don't step on her toes downtown, or anytime for that matter... she can hold her own. She has her stuff together and is always willing to help her friends out (all her random friends too)

Natalie (not me): the most loyal roommate and friend. the best at keeping tabs on everyone and including all in her wonderful enchilada dinners and wine nights

Kristen: the modest suzie homemaker... she will get mad at me for saying that. But seriously, in a good way. She's the all-around girl. She can cook, she's clean, she always looks pretty, smart, fashionable... ya no fair, huh? love her!

Jessica: A globetrotting fashionista that always buy the shoes... lots of them, and the clothes, and jewelry and purse to match. Hey, none of us clothes sharers are complaining! She will procrastinate studying any night for some good, clean fun!

Me: once again the mom of the bunch, and still always the last one out the door. They count on me mostly for recounting their blurry moments with my nightly photo shoots.


This one is a better photo moment for everyone... has all the Sarah's, all the Natalie's, and all the others except our little Brielle!

Okay enough... (probably too much! I warned you about my rambling) Thanks for checking out my first post! I am not sure what is to come...  more about life, and love, a little sharing, a little venting.
Oh, and I am obsessed with weddings, so definitely a lot of that too.


enjoy life. keep loving. and don't forget to stop and admire all the pretty things along the way! -n