Five for Friday: Back to our regularly scheduled programming

It's been a while since the last Five for Friday and I'm happy to return with another crop of stuff I've been digging lately. This weekend will be devoted to playing catchup with projects and restoring the laptop to pre-hard drive crapping out form. The fiance and I may also check out the Body Worlds & The Brain exhibit at the Arizona Science Center. Happy Weekend!

1. Reconnecting with friends

My Texas homegirl Lindsey came to the AZ for a friend's wedding and we caught up at the end of her trip. Even though our reunion was short, we packed in a lot of stories, laughs and delicious beer. I can't wait for her to come back to Phoenix and for my next adventure to the Lone Star State. Miss you, Linds!

2. Words With Friends

Fancy a game? My screen name = CougChick00.

3. Nicole Cohen's "Splash" series

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

4. Blow Faux Dry - Dry Shampoo

5. BAGGU reusable totes

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

Technology: A love/hate relationship

My frenemy technology decided to bitch slap me three ways to Sunday in the past few weeks (Hence my absence from around these parts). Literally, three ways. The laptop hard drive, DRV hard drive and my car's tires and something in the engine crapped out within about 14 days of each other. Not so convenient for someone who blogs every day and is trying to launch a design business. 

That saying about good shatty things happening in threes ... Yeah, it's pretty much true. Long story short: We were able to recover all of our precious data (Always, always, always back up your work in the cloud or on an external hard drive) and actually save the laptop's life via a new hard drive; the cable dude switched out the defective DVR for a shiny new one and my car got new shoes and is in the shop as I type hopefully getting the check engine light ish repaired. 

There were a few moments during this ordeal when I thought about selling all of my stuff and heading to the hills just to spite technology. Then I came to the realization that I love Words With Friends (hello, new obsession), cold milk, driving with the sun roof open, America's Next Top Model marathons and receiving picture messages of my nephew on the iPhone ... All of which are possible thanks to that ho technology ... too much. 

This mini-break from all of the gadgets in my life was really an exercise in appreciation of the wonderful things they allow me to experience and a reminder not to depend on them too much, which is super easy to do given their convenience and possibilities. 

But most of all, it's reaffirmed how much blogging has played an important role in my life during the past year. I've "met" people from around the world I otherwise wouldn't have if it weren't for the power of technology. 

Now, to catch up on my projects, reinstall 43 gigs of musical goodness and rebuild my bookmarks folders. Oh, technology, I hate lurve you. 

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Color crush: Navy + coral

I promise to post my vacation recap soon. I have a love/hate relationship with the 300-plus pictures I took during my adventure AKA I relish pouring over them and reliving all of the amazing things I experienced, but dislike the tedious editing process and only choosing a handful to share. 

In the meantime, I had to share my latest color crush. The punchy combo comes from a project I'm working on. I love being inspired by the creative process and it's been a fun one thus far. 

But the collection of lovelies below is all you get right now, friends. Stay tuned. I can tell you how completely blessed I feel in my life right now. Everything has changed in the past year, and I'm doing things I've only dreamed of. It really does pay to take that leap. 

Get the goods: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

I heart art: Anna Kunz

You know I'm a sucker for some abstract goodness, and Chicago artist Anna Kunz is bringing the heat via her works on paper, sculptures and installations. So inspiring.

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More heart-worthy art can be found right here.

Call it a comeback

The past two and a half weeks have been quite the whirlwind adventure hence my absence from the blogosphere.

After an amazing week in New York, I extended my vacation and spent last week in Washington with my family. This week, my friend and former coworker is in town and we're heading to Sedona for a few days. Then, on Friday, my college's baseball team comes to town for a weekend series at Arizona State.

I didn't intend to step away for so long, but the mini-break has helped me refocus. As much as I love blogging, I sometimes have trouble separating living life from posting. Does anyone else find it difficult to strike the balance between blogging and realizing not everything has to be documented?

I promise we'll return to the regularly scheduled programming next week. I can't wait to share the images and stories from my time in New York, Boston (yay for East Coast day trips), Washington and Arizona.

Me + Coug flag + Central Park = DREAM COME TRUE.

The It List

It's hard to believe that April is already here... That means that for many of you spring has arrived or is very, very close!  Take some time to be inspired by these amazing blogs today to celebrate!

• good clean fun whips up the yummy looking sweet potato and black bean empanadas.  These look like they would make a delicious spring meal with a fresh salad! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• mama loves papa looks spring chic with this gorgeous pink coat!  It's perfect to help you look and feel like spring is here even if it's a little chilly still! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• turn up the rad is crushing on melamine plates and platters and I am too - these once 'old school' style serving pieces are definitely trending right now! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)
• rose a la mode rounds up her favorite spring and summer shoes from Target - the prices and styles are definitely right on here ladies! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} is blog-crushing.  And I can see why, pop on over to see who her inspiration is! (find walking around on twitter!)
• shen dove style is looking absolutely gorgeous in sequins and some snazzy shoes - I just adore this outfit! (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• strong sense of style is loving the tribal trend right now, ohhhh - so am I!  I love that she chose simple items that you can add to your current wardrobe! 
• thought and musing looks fabulous in this road-trip outfit!  I love that her simple floral top dressed the whole thing up (and what about that hat?!?! LOVE!).
• sweetie pie style is inspired by shopbop's recent 'road trip' lookbook.  See how she recreates the looks for less!  Score! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• keep collected seriously rocks daytime sequins and stripes.  I want/need a sequined skirt after seeing this outfit!
• a spot of whimsy has some fun with Pantone's colors - always a good time!  Pop on over to see oodles of color inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• capital barbie has an assortment of drawstring bags featured that I love. These are a little retro and I like that they are coming back! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish takes one simple black dress and dresses it up in four fun outfits - there is something for everyone here. I just love these outfits!
• good life for less brings you three stylish workout ensembles to freshen up your workout routine.  Be sure to check these out!  (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is put together by jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!