insta-lately

today's the day! catching a plane to california! WOOO!

{read up on my other travels here}

Late July-early August...I've been so thankful that you've gone by sooooo slow.

Summer has really set in. The kind of deep, relaxed state where it takes you a moment to realize what day it is.

I have been working out every single day. 

I feel great, and now look forward to in {in a weird way}. 

That has really set the tone of this relaxation and contentment I am feeling!

I always hope to transition this easy feeling into the school year.

Of course, it tends to dissolve away and the worries of work set in,

but I decided...I am not even going to trouble myself with worries yet.

Life lately has been smoothie stops, so much family quality time,

my new bag (hi Calvin!), sweet puppy licks, 

hydrangea envy (I want it to coat my house someday),

sudden rainstorms that leave the grass and trees so verdant,

time for quick sketches and of course, a latte here and there.

follow me @tmango77 (click the photos above for a link)

 to see what I am up to on the west coast!

ciao, xo 

mix media {for cooler weather}

 dress MM Couture | jacket Banana Republic | scarf flea market find | purse Calvin Klein | point toe heels Cole Haan | watch Kate Spade | belt (old) American Eagle

This dress that I picked up at one of my favorite beach boutiques was one of those off-the-rack wonders.

It's the kind of thing where you know just by the touch that it is going to be perfect.

I tried it on, but I recall that just by looking at it on the hanger I didn't have to.

I'm thinking it is a definite first day of school outfit!

I paired it with a borrowed military jacket from Banana Republic, which added a masculine edge.

The floral scarf - also borrowed - mixed it up a lot because it is so feminine.

The nautical stripes, the classic bag and pumps...this is a really mixed look!

(thanks to my sister A for the borrowed pieces!)

So there you have it - mixed media: masculine, feminine, nautical and classic.

ciao, xo

ultra light carry-on

(oh, and I definitely don't wear heels on planes). ;)

It's pretty unbelievable to me that the last three times I have been on a plane, I've flown internationally (woo travel!). Now for the first time in what feels like forever, I'll be making a much less stressful domestic trip. I decided that I want to pack on the very light side. No extras, no doo-dads, no fuss. I am trying out my new turquoise Samsonite 20" carry on, which is ultra light as it weights in at a little over 6 lbs. I bumped my elbow on its hard shell exterior during the shoot and exclaimed an audible "OW," which proves that it is pretty safe against the inevitable jostle at the airport.

I've made a visual packing list, pretty true to what I am actually planning on stuffing into this luggage.  A bit intimate, but these are my must-haves in order to cut out the excess and have a truly lightweight carry on for a 10-day Cali trip! Things I forgot to mention: flip flops, a hat, and possibly a mini-tripod (that might be a stretch).



If you're cutting out the excess in order to pack for a trip, what can't you absolutely live without??
ciao, xo

update

Week three is down!! I began running three weeks ago and while I don't want to use this as a platform to solely discuss exercise accomplishments or talk about how proud of myself I am - I have never ever stuck with anything this long before! So I feel like I need to talk about this somewhere.

This past week I definitely had my moments where I felt like I hit a brick wall. I tended to dawdle before my runs, wasting time and dreading them. I have never loved running - just the immediate feeling after and the results that I am starting to see. Subtle changes, to me, and indiscernible to others. That's why I decided to stick with this. Also, so I can eat pasta. :)

There are moments I hate it, especially in the humidity, when I feel like my legs are going to give out and my lungs are bursting. I am finding that the weather (especially the darn humidity) plays a large role in my "performance," so ideally a better time for me to run would be in the early AM when its still a little cool and dewy out. I'm looking forward to keeping up with it in the fall, when the air will be crisp and the leaves will be just another beautiful distraction.

A-ha's: It's simple - this entire thing is mind over matter. My best friend is training for a marathon right now, so if she can train every day on that intense level, I can do 2 miles. It's doable.

Worries: I am still relying on 'little breaks' from time to time! Especially on my longer routes, I think I mentally block myself and settle to take a teensy weeny walking break. I've done it a few times this week. I don't stop moving, but I'd like to continue accomplishing more nonstop runs without stopping for a breather. Sometimes it's harder to start back up again after a little break!

read last week's update if you want to catch up. :)

ciao, xo