If I knew then what I know now...

CAPES [something empowering] There's a reason we don't know what's going to happen next. If we knew things in advance, we probably wouldn't believe them anyway.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Thanks Stal for my new favorite expressions: "all boo'd up" and "gangster love".

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] I wish I could go back in time and have a chat with my 7th-grade-13-year-old awkward self. If I could, this is what I would tell her: Annie, you have a crush on a Senior who you will meet again when you're 29 outside a Starbucks. But this time, you won't be chasing him. You actually won't be interested at all. Oh how the tables have turned. 13-year old Annie would never believe me.

quality asterisk girls

CAPES [something empowering] Never be too old to learn a new trick. And never be too independent that you can't afford asking for help. The girls and I learned to grill this weekend. Though it took phone calls to our fathers and other macho men, a few hours and an entire bottle of lighter fluid later, we had ourselves some bbq'd salmon (okay, okay...so maybe it was more smoked than bbq'd).

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] This should never be confused with an addiction, but a trend that comes and goes actually has a name: date-weight. Who knew?

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] The other day, of few of us heard a compliment from a mutual friend. He called us "quality girls". Instead of taking this as a compliment, I decided to amend his statement. "Quality" sounded so boring and ordinary. And even though he meant it as a compliment, it just wouldn't do. I decided that we are not just "quality girls", but we are "quality* girls", and the asterisk makes the "quality" more mysterious and less boring. Be a quality-asterisk girl. Never boring, always fun.

Be ruthless, but not lethal.

CAPES [something empowering] Competitiveness is healthy as long as it's not tearing down your opponent - physically or emotionally. So, proceed with caution: be ruthless, but not lethal.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] With the World Cup now over (and no, I don't want to talk about it), my schedule is wide open. What's a girl supposed to do with no 4am games? Solution: I'm gonna start following a few club teams, as well as hang out with my nephew more. I'm kinda in love with him, and it just so happens that his mom is my bestie. Here's the latest video that made me feel better this past dark and not-so-orange Sunday.



THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] I have a drinking problem. Every time I take a swig from my SIGG, the post-sip-flick-of-my-wrist results in water splashing through the tiny opening and onto my face. Can anyone help me? Please advise.

a pescatarian no more.

CAPES [something empowering] If someone is pushing your buttons to get you to react, be the bigger person: don't let it get to you and don't react. Playing into those games will more often than not lead nowhere. And by the off chance that they do lead somewhere, it's probably not where you want to be.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] After 15 years without hot dogs, I'm back in a major way. Cream cheese, grilled onions and bbq sauce. My oh my.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] Here's something new under the sun: along with applying a good layer of sunscreen, you can also protect your skin internally by increasing the amount of antioxidants in your diet. So before you hit the beach, eat some dark berries and down a cup of coffee.

white blank page

CAPES [something empowering] Don't expect to know everything before you take the plunge. I can't begin to understand the inner workings of my car, but that doesn't keep me from behind the wheel.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] I've been stuck on this song the past week...especially the words "you desired my attention but denied my affections". And I'm not gonna lie, I've been that girl before...the one that just wants everyone's attention. But looking back, I see how hurtful it is. Choose to start a new trend: not seeking attention. When attention is given, receive it, but don't go looking for it.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] Holland in the Word Cup Final. Enough said.