behind the blog.

If you're new to {long distance loving}, this post should give you some insight into little ol' me.

If you've been here awhile, you can at least get a few laughs with the photos...enjoy :)

Phew! Are you tired of me yet? I could have gone on, but I will save it for another day. 

This post doesn't even touch on the whys and hows of our long distance years, but in the very least, 

it should help you get a little better handle on what makes me me. I look at this post and realize

just how much I have to be thankful for--which then makes me think of my wonderful parents.

I really don't know where I'd be without their encouragement and love. The same applies for {cv}

and all my best friends. I seriously don't know what I would do without them. I'll just say prayers

I don't have to find that out any time soon!

Like I said, I'm all ears--I'd love to help you work through your fashion conundrums

 {though I'm no expert}, your long distance relationships, your blog questions:

 whatever is on your mind...I can give you my best insight.

Have a great Wednesday! I hope you're all gearing up for another round

of Friday's Fancies, just two short days away! YAY! xoxo {av}

green with envy.

This board may be pretty, but behind it, there lies a deep, dark secret of mine...

{left column: glass + bowtie + cocktails  -  right column: cupcakes + porch + typewriter}

I adore the color green. I love the life that green brings to any situation,
but here's my secret:  the amount of green in my diet is next to nothing.

Yes, you read that right.

I've never eaten a salad. Simply smelling broccoli or cucumber makes me cringe. I hate the attention this "phobia" can bring to me in social situations. I get anxious whenever I'm out to eat because I have to make little changes to my meal so I can actually enjoy it. There's something about the texture, the crunch, the something...and I have never been able to overcome it. I know I'm just plain weird and I'm actually really worried about what this lack of green in my diet will do to me in twenty or thirty years.

On the upside, I've made a lot of improvements to my diet since {cv} came into my life. My mom makes a mean basil pesto that I love. I can handle a few bites of spinach and even some peas. Asparagus is something I've actually come to enjoy. My 21-year-old self wouldn't have touched any of those greens, but here I am, five years later, and I'm learning to add some color to my otherwise plain plate. I really want to make a change--and I need to before I introduce any baby {v}s to this world.

So, here's where I need your help:
How have you conquered your food phobias?
Do you have any tips for me as I try to tackle new foods?

I really am just green with envy of people who can eat whatever is put in front of them. I hope you all don't write me off for my food phobia. You have all been so wonderful over the last year in helping me discover so much--and I can't thank you enough. Truly and honestly, sharing this with you gives me hope that one day I'll overcome this fear. {cv} and any future baby {v}s thank you too...

Your advice means the world to me! And thanks for accepting me, quirks and all ;) xoxo {av}

swapaholics {re}capped.

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a relaxing weekend--and if it wasn't relaxing,
I hope it was fun in the very least ;) Here are a few photos from my very first swap--
and my little brush with fashion blogger royalty, Jessica Quirk from What I Wore!

LEFT: The Boston Fashionista found this crazy zebra jacket + amused us all by trying it on :)

RIGHT: Najeema {from A Stylized Hysteria} rocked the swap and found some killer pieces!
{photos by {av} + logos via The Swapaholics}

If you've never been to one of The Swapaholics events, you're missing out. Not only is it quite a rush,
it's a little like Christmas morning when you finally get to look through all the pieces you grabbed.
The idea behind a swap is to bring a bag of your unwanted goodies in the hopes you'll leave with
a bag of loot you'll actually want to take home. Whatever is unclaimed goes to Goodwill,
which is a pretty fabulous formula to me.

I found a few pieces I think you'll see after I have a little fun with them {can you say DIY?}.
Overall, I was super pleased with the swap--and would most certainly go again! If they ever do
one in your neck of the woods, you should definitely get in on the excitement! :) 

The other highlight of the day?!

Not only was Jessica as beautiful {and humble} as they come, she was so kind to share a few

tidbits of fashion advice {we talked shoes!}.  Her book, What I Wore: Four Seasons, 

One Closet, Endless Recipes for Personal Style?, is a must-have for any fashion lover. 

Click here to find a retailer near you! Trust me, every girl needs to own this book...

for the impeccable style advice and for the gorgeous eye candy drawn by Jessica herself.

Have you ever been to a swap {or swapped with friends}?

What's your favorite fashion-related book?

I hope you all are having a fantastic Monday so far! 

Thanks for reading--and I'll see you tomorrow! xoxo {av}

lucky lovelies.

Last Monday, I announced a stellar giveaway from Monika at The Doctor's Closet!

Two {yes, TWO} readers are about to have a much better day once they hear 

they are the winners of their favorite bfrend bracelet from the popsicle series!

I wish you all could win one of these beauties, but Ashton and Erika lucked out this time,

but stay tuned! There's another big giveaway coming next week on {long distance loving}!

I simply can't thank Monika enough for her generosity--and I am beyond

grateful you were all as excited as I was about this fun summer giveaway!

Until next time! xoxo {av}