Bejeweled

Today was deceptively sunny. Either way, I dressed for the wanna-be warmish weather and continued to run with cheery clothes.

I wore this mustard cardi for the 1st time here.
Apparently I enjoy wearing it atop white/creamy, lacy pieces. 

Mikey made fun of me after we snapped these, because I do "the same poses". I was like, "Dang, I'm not a model. I'll do the same thing every day if I want and I dare you to say something again."

No, I really just don't know what to do when taking outfit photos. Like, what do I do with my hands, my head...what is a good pose? Ugh. It's really awkward no matter how much fun I 'try' and have to lighten the situation.

Then, the wind came out of nowhere, giving me a few almost-Marilyn Monroe moments. That certainly lightened up the mood. 

My shoes make me think of the game Bejeweled, with all the little rhine stone-y things that make a heart on the toe and line up the back of the tiny wedge. Plus I love the colorful gems stones on my whale necklace that Mikey got me for my birthday last year. (I love whimsical animal prints in and on everything, so I knew I had to have this cute little Moby for a necklace!) And of course the jewel tones in the pom pom puffs on my cardi are a nice touch...And there we have the name for this post!

Dress, belt: Ruche

Cardigan: ModCloth

Shoes: Poetic Licence (2010)

Ribbed tights: Target

Whale of a good time necklace: Jared

Today on my way home I reminisced through some fun, old tunes. I listened to "You Don't Have To Call" by Usher and remembered how it tied into a part of my teenage life back in 2001/2002. I followed that up with a repeat (times 10) of "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" by David Alan Coe...oh boy, do I have so many fun drunk (both) memories associated with this song. Me, Jen and our Oklahoma City gang would sing this song (at the top of our lungs) in a little hole in the wall bar that we frequented. In fact, this song would come on and the entire bar would sing it, usually holding onto shoulders and swaying back n' forth. Ah, good times. I like when people can come together like that and be friendly. Drunk or not. :)

Guess I'll go eat some cake now. Y'all have a sweeeet evening. <3

Love,

me

Let's Rewind 10 years: pt. 7

Oh boy, we're nearing the end of these posts! You know what that means! :)
Now we go to 2008. I was 24 years old and over the drinking-like-Snooki thing. I still went out about once a month, to a bar, a club, whatever, but being hungover damn near daily was far from my norm anymore. My overused phrase that year was, "I'm gettin' too old for this shi-".
Significant events from 2008:
~I visited my friend Paige in Tennessee. Let me clarify, I finally met in person the friend that I had been talking to on the phone and online every week for the previous two years. I had never done that before. Luckily for me, she didn't turn out to be an ax murderer. And yes, we're still friends today. In fact, we take turns making trips to see one another every year. 
~I started dating Mikey, after two years of being just friends. 'Just' drinking buddies, really. I plan on doing a lovey dovey post with the deets on how Mikey and I started dating as it nears our wedding anniversary in March or for our total time together anniversary in May. 
~Mikey tricked me into meeting his entire family after only dating for 3 months! It was so awkward, but hey, we're inlaws now so everything's kosher. And honestly, they were all really nice. I was the nervous nancy. I'm very particular about when I think it's appropriate to "meet the parents", and I remember thinking it was wayyy too soon. 
~However, by October I knew that Mikey and I were a sure thing, so I took him to meet my family in Texas. We had so much fun and my family absolutely fell in love with him. I had only ever taken home the ex before, so you see how I take these things seriously.  
~And of course, this was the year that I welcomed my girly side to take over after Mikey bought me the $268 French Connection dress...just for me to wear to our 5 month boyfriend/girlfriend dinner date at the Wynn Hotel. I was like a deer in headlights when he bought me that dress. All I did was try it on and say it was pretty. That's it. Next thing I knew, the store was having it steam cleaned and it'd be ready for me to wear by dinner time. Mikey even bought me some pretty bow pumps to match (which I've since given to Jen since they were a tad bit big). Since the day I met Mikey, he's done everything in his power to treat me like a princess and roll out the red carpet for me. And no one had ever spoiled me to such levels before. Granted I don't always need that...it's just nice for a girl to feel so special. We had fun wining and dining that year in some of Vegas' most luxurious and well-received restaurants. 
One word for 2008: magical.

The day I turned 24. Natty & Stephanie threw me a surprise birthday dinner. Can you spot Mikey? To this day I giggle or smile at pictures of us, where he's innocently standing so close to me, and neither of us knew what was in our future. 

Wrightsville Beach, NC. He was serenading me in front of everyone. Awkward? Yes. Romantical nonetheless? Certainly.

Walking around downtown San Antonio. I have a picture in front of this same little water fall-y area from when I was in 1st grade. I like revisiting nostalgic locations and getting new pictures. :)

And here's a picture of us before going to our 5 month anniversary dinner. I'm wearing the French Connection dress. It's seriously one lovely dress, right down to the touch. LOTS of tulle underneath - yay. I've worn it a number of times, but not in the last 2.5 years after I started running (and shed off the unhealthy 15 pounds I put on while drinking 7 nights a week & binge eating at all hours of the night in 2006/2007). It's too big for me now and hangs in its garment bag waiting to be taken to a tailor. :/

Thanks for reading, dolls. I'll talk to y'all tomorrow! Have a happy hump day. 

Love,

Roni

let's rewind 10 years: pt. 6

Other than working on my left [tattoo] sleeve, going to concerts every week, and drinking like a fish, the most significant 'thing' of 2007 was starting to form my 2nd Air Force family. It started with Steph, and in 2007 I added Natty, Chappie, Irena and a few great gents. My family in Vegas was much, much bigger than the one in Oklahoma and not everyone knew past "family members" since so many of my friends were getting out of the military or moving to new squadrons. Had all the friends that I called brothers and sisters hung out over the 4+ years I was there, I can only imagine all the fun we'd have had. 
FYI: I met Mikey during the first month that I got to my squadron in Vegas. We both remember that first day, but have different ways of telling it. His is probably the truer version though. He says he walked into the squadron to sign out for his flight (we called them "missions"). I remember looking up and seeing him walk through the door because the sunlight was coming in right over his head and it was too much for me...I was hungover. I thought he was cute, but I didn't really pay him any mind. He says he said hello to me and that I didn't respond. I don't believe this to be true for a second, because that's just plain rude! Although my friend Steph will argue all day that I was an "asshole" back then, partially due to the fact that I was always hungover. So maybe he's telling the truth. Anyway, he says he asked me what he needed to do to be good to fly (I kept track of flying currencies and made sure that no aircrew flew if they had tasks to accomplish prior to flight). According to Mikey, I didn't even answer him. I simply glanced only at his name tag, spun around in my swivel chair, and highlighted his name and information. Then I went back to what I was doing, all without looking up or saying a word. He said "thank you" and went on with his bizz. The funny thing is we ended up hanging out often because of all our mutual friends, like Purdie and Pickett. I didn't even call him Mikey; I called him by his last name. One thing however, I always thought he was a cutie pie. 
During this time I had a boyfriend whom I met at work. He was originally from California, so during our year of dating I got to visit Cali about 4 times. I went to San Francisco (twice--my favorite!), Sacramento, San Diego, Escalon (where he was from) and a few surrounding cities. I just can't believe I forgot to wear a flower in my hair while in San Fran. :( 

Irena & I. This picture is not from my 23rd birthday, but I spent it with Irena @ the E.R. (the bar)

I almost forgot I used to have black hair!

Natty & I on Fremont Street

When I referred to Mikey by his last name. 

Stephen, Mikey, Purdie, me, Irena, Heather

Halloween '07. I went as myself.

L to R: Chappie, Me, Tiffany, Steph, Cassie

LOL and one from eeeaarrly '07 of Mikey & I being friends and stuff. :)

Ew, I hate this picture of me. I also don't like me with blond hair.

Hope you enjoyed another one. Goodnight, y'all.

Love,

Roni

Let's Rewind 10 years: pt. 4

2005: Quite possibly the best year of my life (not counting meeting Mikey, falling in love, getting married, etc). It started out pretty tough, putting an end to a 5 year (on & off) relationship, but my God, my life quickly did a 180. 
On February 10th, 2005 I turned 21. I went to work that day and made a decision. I was done with hurting. I was done being unhappy. I had put up with so much that I didn't deserve and for what? Because he was my first love. That wasn't enough to justify anything about us anymore. As soon as I got out of work I headed to the Oklahoma City Court House and filed for a divorce. I didn't want to go into another year of my life carrying the burden of an unquestionably unhealthy marriage. So many people have gotten bug-eyed when I tell them that I filed on my birthday. But I remember thinking, "If I don't do it now, I'll never do it. Today I have strength." It's like, in hanging out with this new family I'd formed with all my friends, I was myself again. The person I'd always been before I got married. And suddenly, the dark life I lead with my ex didn't fit in with me anymore. It wasn't worth it anymore to be on the other end of such chaos. My divorce was final on April 11, 2005. I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry when I sat in divorce  court that day, but not because I felt I was making a mistake. I just thought it was an all around shame. I never wanted to end up in that situation, but even that day, I knew I had always done all I could from the moment I made a vow. And the strength I prayed for (every.single.day) that I was in that marriage, going through the breakdowns, was given to me. I felt it in the days leading up to me filing and every day since the day I started all over. 
My life with my ex was such a long time ago that it doesn't even seem like it was part of my life anymore. Except now when talking about it with y'all. He and I are friends and have been for quite some time. It's hard to explain how I could be so accepting towards a friendship with him, considering my parents, brother and friends dislike him (very much), but I've known him since I was 15. We grew up together in ways. We watched each other change. We have history. A painful history sure, but there were some good times. Once I forgave him and God let me move forward with my life (being I was happy without him) I knew that I didn't want to hold onto hard feelings. And we're seriously so much better off as friends. I mean, it's not like we phone chat every day. There's just a peace between us. And I prefer peace. I wholeheartedly wish him nothing but the best. 
The best thing about 2005? Everything else that fell into my lap. Happiness. And fun. Oh, and I went on my first deployments...to Ecuador and the Caribbean! Yeah, I got paid to drink cheap tequila in Ecuador, and snorkel, party and frolic on the beautiful beaches in Curacao (it's one of the ABC islands). 

Here I am on the day I turned 21- it had been two years since I celebrated my birthday!

Michelle & I

I started getting more tattoos! This was one I got soon after the divorce. It was to symbolize a moment in which I was the happiest I'd ever been. 

Jen & I

At the aquarium in Curacao, NA

Curacao remains the place I wish to go back to almost everyday. I had so much time to reflect there. Walk around the beach and think, even at night. I absolutely fell in love with it. Part of me will always be there.

I swam to a rock and took this picture.

I'll be back tomorrow. Probably late again since it's Super Bowl Sunday. Fact: I hate sports and have never sat through a whole game (of any sort). But I do enjoy the food at Super Bowl parties and I'm excited for the deliciousness that awaits me at my father-in-law's house tomorrow. Oh, and I will be rooting for the Giants, simply because they're from New York and that's my backyard. 

Y'all have a wonderful, easy Sunday. 

Love,

Roni

Let's Rewind 10 years: pt. 3

2004 was just an even worse continuation of 2003 (marriage wise). I was still trying desperately to hold on to "him", hoping that he was just going through a phase, or perhaps late symptoms of cold feet. But who has cold feet for over a year after saying "I do"? He was spending every weekend with the new friends he'd made at work, drinking in their dorm rooms. None of them were married and I know it made him miss having the same freedom those guys did. I spent my weekends reading marriage books at a nearby Christian bookstore. I was so desperate for God to step in and work a miracle. Of course we don't always get the answers we want. And that's not always a bad thing.
One of the hardest things, out of everything I went through during that time, was not wanting to talk to my mom about it. I never wanted her to know how broken I was. But she did, and we'd often cry together. Which hurt me more, because now it wasn't just me who was hurting. I hated her knowing the unhappiness in my life. I can't imagine that pain for a mother. Mothers want the best for their children and are truly omniscient beings; I couldn't have hidden my sorrows from her if I tried. Mom, I know you read along, so just know that it always meant so much to me that you never said, "I told you so". Thank you for choosing inspirational words and being so gentle. We both know you're not the crying, mushy type. Well, you never like to admit that you can be anyway. :) [I love you.]
I also hated being 20. I felt like I was stuck in a rut. And I remember always blaming a good chunk of my being miserable on the fact that I was 20. The age that didn't make a lick of sense to me. 
The good part of 2004? November and December. The ex ended up being sent on a rather unexpected deployment (I was furthermore depressed when this happened), but in efforts to not just stay at home and cry -I can't believe I still had tears left!- I started hanging out with friends I'd met on base. I still talked to Angel, but she was living farther away with her then husband, so I didn't see her as often, but it was through Angel that I'd met Jen in 2003 and we (Jen & I) got to know each other better this year. Additionally, it was Jen that introduced me to my best friend Michelle. I started hanging out with people that would be some of my best friends for life. For the first time in a long time I was having fun. I was happy when I was with these people. 
They're not all pictured, but my first Air Force family away from my real one was: Michelle, Jen, Jamilya, Phil, Kyle, Jer-Jer, Chris, Andy, and Dustin. We all still keep in touch, even if it's not as often as I'm sure we'd all like. Life just gets busy, I suppose. 

Michelle & I during a game of Catch Phrase

Jen & Michelle's squadron Christmas Party 2004. I went as both their dates :)

Sorry this came so late. Ashley & I didn't get back from the City till well after 3 a.m. And all we did was shop, eat, and take pictures in the Forever 21 at Times Square! I can't wait to share my latest JC heels tomorrow, err, later today. I'm gonna catch some z's. 

Thanks for reading, friends. Really, really. 

Love,

Roni

Let's Rewind 10 years: pt. 2

Now we'll revisit 2003. After I graduated bootcamp at the end of 2002, I was put on a bus in the middle of the night, with other graduates, and sent off to Mississippi. This was the first time I'd been out of Texas since I was a baby. The bus drove for hours, till the sun came up. I remember listening to the Smashing Pumpkins the whole ride there. To this day I cannot hear a single song from their greatest hits album and not see the image of myself on that bus, driving through Texas, then Louisiana, and seeing swamp lands through my window. I remember privately crying as I felt like some of the SP lyrics were talking specifically to me. I was so young and scared, but I was really excited, too. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I was ready for something to happen with my life.
I was 19 years old, living in a dorm room in Mississippi. For three months I'd be there doing technical training for the military. Basically that just means that I was going to school to learn how to do the job I'd signed up for. It was the first birthday I wasn't with my family for and I remember it being really, really hard. I called my mom from a pay phone (remember those?!) and cried.
I forgot to mention that I had gotten back together, during bootcamp (through letters), with my ex boyfriend. My first boyfriend ever. He was actually a huge part of the reason (not the only reason) that I left for the military in the first place. We were broken up -for the millionth time- and I wanted to finally move on, but I knew I wouldn't be able to if I stayed in San Antonio. Well, we all know how hard it is to move on from a first everything, so you can imagine how paralyzed I always was when it came to him. Of course I took him back 592904849 times. (Fyi, I don't believe in getting back with anyone - not even once. If it ended, then it ended for a reason. I learned that after this first relationship.)
So, as soon as my tech school was over in Mississippi, I went home to San Antonio again, for two weeks, before heading to my first permanent duty station, which was going to be in Oklahoma. While in Texas my ex and I tied the knot in a small church wedding. So there you have it. I was planning on never speaking on the blog about having been married before. It's not something I'm ashamed of, even though divorce is not something I flaunt. It's easy for me to talk of my divorce with my friends and family, but divorce can be a touchy subject to discuss with people who don't know you through and through. It'd especially make it difficult if someone who doesn't know what you went through passes judgment. But, I wanted to be honest, and I'm not ashamed of anything that has made me a stronger person, and this first relationship/marriage gave me the backbone that makes me proud. It's what makes me the tough-firecracker-cookie I am. (I don't put up with SHIT now. lol) ANYWAY, back to Texas. Everything happened super fast and wasn't really planned. The fact that he'd asked me to marry him, meant to me, that things would be different...that somehow all our problems would automatically be fixed. He had joined the military 2 weeks after I did and was finishing up his technical school in San Antonio (every job requires a tech school and the tech schools vary on location). At the time of our nuptials we had been together on and off for three years. More off than on. It was an emotional roller coaster of a relationship.
Without giving too much information about what went on in this marriage, I'll just say that when we got into our first apartment together in Oklahoma, we really had fun playing house...for all of 6 months. Then it was what it always was. And he thought we'd made a mistake by getting married so young/so soon.
So, that was home life. Back at my new office/squadron I was super happy. My supervisor was a wonderful, positive gentleman -named Jt Thompson- who started every morning out by playing the song, "Don't Worry Be Happy". And yup, you guessed it, I can't hear this song without missing him. (I'm listening to it right now.) He could tell when I was having hard times and talked to me like I was his daughter. I always miss that guy. I ended up becoming very close friends with one of my co-workers. Her name was Angel and we did everything together. She was the only friend I saw for about a year, and I could confide in her about my rocky marriage. I will always love her for having my back, too.

Me at 19. (I don't have a birthday pic b/c I didn't really have a birthday per se.)

This was the first time I'd really seen snow, so I attempted a snow man. Angel was with me
and thought OK's version of snow was a joke. She's from Connecticut. 

Angel & Jt (stuffing his face! hehe)

Well, I'll cut it off here. Whew! This was pretty awkward, not gonna lie. And sorry these posts will be long, it's hard to shorten up a year's worth of info. If you read the whole thing, BRAVO. :)

Love,

Roni

Let's Rewind 10 years: pt. 1

Today & the next 9 days I am going to go back the last decade of my life and highlight [in pictures] some of the most significant events of each year. Then on the 10th (my 28th birthday) I'll post a couple baby pictures along with the pictures of my 27th year. I hope y'all enjoy this temporary feature. 

My whole life I had never been one to tell anyone it was my birthday. I was never that little girl (or adult for that matter) that said, "Hey, my birthday's coming up, what are you gonna get me?"; I was always extremely shy to bring any attention to myself, so the idea of all these people showing me an overwhelming amount of affection all at once terrified me. (Of course this doesn't include my birthday parties thrown by my family.) Then as I got older I hated the idea that I "wasn't young" anymore, so I kept my birthday and age private for that reason, too. This year I've had a total change of heart and perception. A month or so ago I thought to myself how depressing it was going to be turning 28, and how ancient it made me feel. But immediately the optimistic part of me jumped in, and I thought about how much life I've had. All the experiences. All the love. All the friendships I've built. The beautiful things I've seen and places I've been. The stories I've gathered, through happiness and heartache alike, to share with my future kids. All these wonderful blessings that I've been alive to be apart of. And when I thought of it like that, I realized that is the way I want to always receive the notion of getting older. Through every mistake I've made, and boy have I made a ton, I can honestly say that I just keep getting better as the years go by, and I'm very happy with who I am. That's the most important thing, I think, to be happy with ourselves. To accept ourselves. So never again will I let myself fall into pessimistic mode when February rolls around. I shouldn't huff and pout, I should be happy and thankful that I've still got a life to live! So in sharing with y'all that my birthday is coming up, I'm not looking for a buttload of "Happy Birthday" comments [that day] and please don't feel obligated; this is simply my way of celebrating my life, finally being free of my awkward birthday blues! And no one should feel awkward or shy about celebrating the gift of life. Can I get an Amen?  ;)

Now, 10 years ago, in 2002, I was 18 years old. Couldn't break 100 pounds to save my life, and the only reason I was able to get into the military being underweight was because some of the instructors had me drink an entire jug of water before weigh-ins! I was also put into a group that was allowed more time to eat during chow (we were normally given about 5 minutes) and I was given cakes when we were sooo NOT ALLOWED sweets, all in the name of putting weight on this little trainee. 

My ex's mom (who is amazing) threw me a surprise Barbie party for my 18th birthday

Here I am lookin' awkward b/c I didn't expect this. lol

3 significant events from my 18th year: 

High School Graduation; joining the Air Force; graduating bootcamp

This little feature will also serve as a means of y'all getting to know more about me. Things will get personal in the next couple days when I go back to the next couple years, and I'm feeling a little nervous about sharing something that I haven't talked about, but what little skepticism I do have is overshadowed by the fact that I know none of y'all are ones to judge. From everything I've seen thus far, y'all are incredibly open-minded, accepting and encouraging. And I love that about every one of you. 

Coming back to do an outfit post along with sharing an amazing thing that happened today! 

Love,

Roni

This, that...and that

I have to do a shi-ton of homework tonight, but here's what I've been wearing/been up to. 
Sunday:
We went with Isaac & Lissi (our neighbors/friends) to see the Royal Rumble (LOL!) on pay per view at this local pub. It was....comical, to say the least. It was slightly chilly outside, but perfect for shorts with tights. I took advantage. 

Cashmere (a percentage) shirt: Old Navy (super old)

Shorts: ModCloth

"Yall" necklace (yup, rockin' it again): Chryssi-Lou's etsy shop

Monday:
Again, the winter is warming up here, even though it is in the 40's (ahem, Amber, haha). I guess I was just so traumatized by my first 'real' winter here last year that the fact that it's not currently in the teens means "warm" to me. So, I wore shorts again. These are totally different from the top ones, in case it's not too obvious. This is how Mikey takes my pictures, and it pisses me off. I'm never ready and I end up looking like a goof. I decided to show you the "quality" of pictures he leaves me to choose from.

Sweater, shorts: Urban Outfitters

Tights: Target

Flats: Bakers

Today:
Has been super draining. I'm beat. And I have a 3 hour break between classes every Tuesday and Friday, so I ran errands until I had nothing left to do but study...only I didn't feel like it. So I laid in my car for the remaining 45 minutes and turned on the radio.  "If It Makes You Happy" came on while I was looking through the sunroof windows of my car, and I swear I was 19 years old again, driving down a strange highway in Mississippi with the new girlfriends that I'd made in technical school for the military. It was insane how I felt like I was in two places, in two different eras of my life; it was so awesome to be able to relive such a random memory again. It always & only comes to me when I hear this song. But that's the way it usually goes.

Ramones tee: H&M

Jeans: American Eagle

Suspenders: UO

Cap: ??

Shoes: T.U.K. creepers

They're chipping and ready to be wiped off now, but here are the nails I've been sportin' for the last few days. 

Polka dots! I got the idea from here

Finally, I know I've said it a ton, and posted plenty of pics, but I just LOVE my school. This of course being my favorite building on the campus. The Mansion. Today was a beautiful day as I strolled across the grass and between big old trees. I had to get a picture. I don't even care how many of the same ones I have. Each picture was from a different day. A different moment I was having. 

I'd miss the crap out of it if I ever had to...err, move. 

Goodnight, dolls.

Love,

Roni

If Gene Kelly is the King of rainy days, then I'm the Queen :)

For as long as I live, I'll never be able to not think of this amazing scene when I enjoy my most beloved, wet and dreary days. Today was no different, and on my three hour break between classes I grabbed lunch to-go, ate in my car while listening to new music, recommended to me by my long-time friend Chris, and watched the rain come down on my windshield. Ahhh, now that's my kinda moment. Here's one of my favorite songs that he shared by a dude/group called Frank Turner. Its upbeat, grooviness took me back to my Vegas days when I danced my little toosh off night after night, next to some of the raddest kids in the world (Irena), to the fantastic sounds of local bands like Gone For Good, SavageKat, and The Skooners. Oh, if only I had a time machine sometimes. A lot of times. I just miss so many pieces of my life and would give anything to go back and taste them again. 

Clearly this is my favorite hat at the moment. Thanks Mommy!

Raise your hand if you're feeling colorful today!

Dress: Ruche (similar one at ModCloth)

"Yall" necklace: Birthday gift from Chryssi (similar one in pink!)

Cardi, tights & flats: Target

Belt: H&M

I have a shi-ton of pictures of my closet (it's finished!!!) to share with y'all later. For now, we're heading out for sushi. Mmmm. Don't hate. Get you some, too!  :D

Love,

Roni

return to innocence ♥

When I thought of a title for this post this song title was the first thing that immediately popped into my head. Oh, the 90's.

While in Texas I finally did something that I'd been wanting to do but never find the time for during visits - I paid a visit to my first elementary school. A place that I think about often in relation to my life and how fast it's gone by and also how much fun I had when I was so young, living in that small town of Poteet, Texas. My school was in Somerset, an equally small nearby town. 

It was so surreal to be back there again. I only wish the gates were open so we could have gotten some pictures on my old playground in the very back of the school. 

The building I'm looking at was where I had physical education on cold days, watched Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and won a spelling bee in first grade. My prize was a neon yellow walkman cassette player. 

If you click on this picture you can see a little bit of the inside of my old cafeteria. It looked exactly the same as when I last saw it about 18 years ago. 

I remember having to line up right here so many times after eating lunch.

This part of the building was new. I miss the old brown bricks.

Might I add that it was a whopping 64 degrees on this day in good ol' Tex?! Northerners, be jealous.

Somerset Middle & High School are directly across the street. 

 Sitting outside the old building (former high school auditorium) from picture 1 ^up there^. 

You might remember these Swedish Hasbeens from this post. 

I got these shoes, a dress, and Prada Candy perfume (or parfum) from my father-in-law for Christmas!

I loved getting way nostalgic on this day. It was also super sweet to experience my old childhood stomping grounds with Mikey. 

Dress: Shop My Closet on Yesterday's Sweetheart

Cardigan: Mommy gave it to me

Clutch/makeup bag: ModCloth

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens loafers via Endless

**Random little story: I searched for this dress on ASOS and Rare over and over for over a month. They weren't restocking my size. Then one afternoon I somehow find my way onto Emily's blog and see that she's never worn it and is selling it for less than what the sites were if they'd had my size. My mouth dropped. I squealed and purchased immediately. It was like...dress-fate.**

I was so in love with my new pink clogs that I wore them with so many random outfits over the next few days, but I only got a picture with these two dresses. I was on a mission to see how pink clogs could work their way into matching (or not- don't really care) with a variety of pieces. I know I say it a lot, but these are my new favorite shoes! And worth every penny. 

Dress: Christmas gift from my sissy via ModCloth

Tights (blush): H&M

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens loafers via Endless

As always, thank y'all for checking out my little inter-nook. I really REALLY really appreciate every sweet comment and glance. I've only been blogging for 2 months, but I'm so in love with it and all the blogs I can't live without, and of course, all the friends I've made. E-friends or not, I still think y'all are some of the sweetest, encouraging and most supportive people I never thought I'd meet. In other words, y'all rule. 

Love,

Roni

Memory Lane --> "Roni Feels Nostalgic"

Last night I had my mom pull out her small chest filled to the rim with old family photographs, keepsakes, and letters...going through these old memories is one of my favorite things in the whole world, if not the most important thing in my world...nostalgia. :)
My mom, Mona (my sister), Danny (my brother), Gilbert, Mikey and I sat around the kitchen table till about 3 am recalling the stories that belonged to each old image. I was in heaven and we all shared a ton of laughs remembering our amazing childhood with Mom.
During the treasure hunt for "what else is in here?" of my mom's little chest, I found an old letter I'd written to my family on one of my visits here in 2007. I remember I was stationed in Vegas at the time, and the tempo of the squadron I was working in plus the fact that I was in an office with only two other people kept me from taking leave to see my family for over a year! That was the longest time I was away from Texas during my enlistments in the military; and even this last year of being a civilian, a student in Jersey, I've managed to come home four times.
So, I found this letter, all excited, and read it in front of my mom and Mikey (Mona & Gilbert had left and Danny went to bed by this time):

"To my Family:

I sit here in Mona’s room crying right now, and I can’t stop. 

A year and a half went by so fast between me and this house...between me and this city...between me and my family. And that really hurts me.  Two weeks to spend with the people you love more than anyone else in this whole world is not enough. Trying to make every moment count in 14 days in almost heartbreaking to me...everything is a rush to try and get to the next moment and enjoy it.  I wanna just sit back and BREATHE! I want to let “home” and “Family” sink into my soul and for one second just feel like I’m here to stay with all of you again. I swear to God I love this house to death.  This is the house we shared. The house I grew up in.  It was once my home.  But I never come back here and stay long enough for it to feel like “home” to me anymore. And that kills me a little more with each stay. 

I love y’all so much.

I’m leaving tomorrow and for the last 13 days all I’ve done was study y’all. Examine every smile, every different sound of laughter each one of you produces, mentally photographing y’all in certain ways - I want to remember you when I’m gone. 

The thing that makes my heart ache is not knowing when I’m going to see these smiles or hear these voices and laughter again. I don’t want to wait so long the next time [to come home]. 

But in the meantime, while we are apart yet again, I can only ask God to keep a close eye on y’all and keep y’all safe for me...and to bring us together again soon.

With all my heart,

Roni <3"

Needless to say it choked me up, and I was crying by the end of it. I was just taken back to the exact way I felt when I wrote it. I'm sure y'all understand.
Here are some of the pictures my mommy is letting me take home for my walls.

Christmas 1987

me & mommy June 1984

me & Danny '89 or '90 (note: my saddle shoes - I loved those)

me & Mona '90 or '91

This pic cracks me up. We had one of those 80's Ninja Turtle cameras!

Danny (with a Prince poster, LOL), Mona and me, minus my two front teeth - HOT!

Mi familia on Christmas Eve 2011.

My mom and I ended up staying up till 7 a.m. after Mikey went to bed, talking about how fast the time goes by. During our chat, I told myself to remember every story we stayed up sharing, every detail, because these are the most important details of our lives. 

I'm sending lots of love to you all! I hope y'all are having pretty moments wherever you are. 

(I'll try to come back for a couple of missed outfit posts...if I get service! lol)

Love & bear hugs,

Roni