NUEVO!

New blog layout today.

First time I've changed it since this blog first began (I spent so long working on it, that I was afraid of changing it).

You likey?

I am excite.

Playlist #1: Necessary Songs of Summer

my lovely friend Tiff introduced me to 8tracks, an excellent website for creating custom playlists.

and since i am a music snob and believe that my taste is superb, i will be subjecting you to playlists of songs i love at random intervals:




Post Acid by Wavves
Round and Round by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Boyfriend by Best Coast
Airplanes by Local Natives
Daddy Fat Sax by Big Boi
Tell 'Em by Sleigh Bells
Real Love by Delorean
Precious Stone by Pete Yorn

enjoy! and you can thank me later for introducing you to good music.
http://8tracks.com/mlalexis

Only Minor Emotional Damage

This past weekend, Ben & I survived my family reunion shockingly well. The drives there and back really sucked, but the actual reunion had it's moments.

My cousins are awesome and their kids are ridiculously cute.


Beautiful Anna


Gorgeous Julia


& Ben was looking pretty freaking cute too.

A Note to my Dear Readers

Dear readers, if you exist:

Sorry that some of my images are showing up ENORMOUS. Something appears to be wrong with Photobucket. Even though i resize them diligently like a pro blogger, some of the pictures are still huge.

It's really starting to piss me off.

So, my apologies.
And any suggestions, please send them my way!

xx
ML

Artsy-Fartsy-Scape 2010

Ben & I went up to Artscape today - "America's largest free arts festival" - which ALWAYS is over the hottest damn weekend of the summer.

There's a mix of very cool installations, greasy fair food, and craft-fair tchotchkes.

Some of my favorites:

• Bowerbox Press (kind of obsessed)

• Marissa D. Molinaro

Ben purchased a beer glass made from a Rouge Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout bottle

• MICA Masters in Community Arts Thesis Exhibition

we also enjoyed this:



more pictures on facebook.

How Could I Possibly Forget?

I almost forgot one of my best Anniversary Sale finds!



MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Mr. Marc' Trim Fit Crewneck T-Shirt

Sale $49.90 After Sale: $78.00

mr marc is just adorable, love those suspenders.

unfortunately, the men who shop at The Rail in Towson Town Center apparently don't buy Marc by Marc, so i had to order this piece online. really excited for the package to arrive!

My Version of Christmas

THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE.
my favorite shopping event of the year.

allow me to explain: this is not your normal, end-of-season sale. it's a "reverse" sale, if you will. new fall merchandise is discounted for the duration of the sale (approximately 2 weeks), and then marked UP once the sale has ended.

so, instead of getting the last season's cast-offs, you are getting next season's merch at lovely discounts.

ben and i went last night (i couldn't possibly wait until sale day #2).

my haul:

Steven by Steve Madden 'Maryn' Distressed Leather Boot

Sale $179.90 After Sale: $269.95

Trouvé Ponte Knit Motorcycle Leggings

Sale $34.90 After Sale: $54.00

Hanky Panky Low Rise Print Thong (the. best. underwear. ever.)

Sale $12.90 After Sale: $21.00

i think i did pretty well (if i do say so myself)... and kept the spending somewhat in check. i definitely could have done some SERIOUS damage if i wasn't being careful...

there's a leather jacket that's haunting me....

Is It Still a Picnic If It's Indoors?

My very lovely friend Jehan invited Ben & I to join himself and his friends to a picnic at Boordy Vineyards, just outside the city. It's nice to be able to escape to the country for an afternoon, especially when it's only half an hour away.



The rain did not cooperate, but it was still romantic.



For about 2 seconds.

America the Beautiful, and Drunk

Over the weekend, Ben and I went up to Delaware to visit our friends Sarah and Scott, who hosted an excellent Independence Day shindig.

Some highlights:


Scott made some delish kabobs.


We set off some roman candles in the parking lot.



The fountain was pretty.