GO FOR THE GOLD INSPIRATION...

Cake/Gold/YSL/Bookends/Kate Moss

Whew, what a week it has been for me already and it's only Tuesday!  I've been a bit behind in my posts this week due to being out of town until what was supposed to be today but turned into tomorrow due to flight delays (oh, the joys of flying!).  Hope ya'lls week has been wonderful so far!  Can you believe it is already the 7th of August? Unbelievable it's almost time for fall and my very favorite time of year, football season!

The past two weeks watching the Olympics I've been incredibly inspired by: the athletes, their dedication & commitment, the stories of how these superstars were able to make it this far, the sacrifices & often times hardships faced by many in their journey to the 2012 Olympics, and the compassion and respect for one another.  I can't tell ya'll how many touching stories I've seen online or read in the news about these athletes over the past two weeks, but they all have one common thread running through them that I think is such an important reminder for us all to keep year round even after the memories of the Olympics fade- their passion and dedication to the sport for the more than 10,500 athletes competing in the Olympics this year.  Shouldn't we all have something, anything, that makes us feel alive and gets us going similar to the way these athletes feel? One example that I'm particularly in awe of is the South African, Oscar Pistorious, who ran in the 400m race over the weekend making history as the first double amputee to compete in the Olympic games.  Pistorious did not medal in the 400m event, but after the race fellow competitor and winner, Kirani James of Grenada, walked over to Pistorious, gave him a hug and then asked to exchange name bibs with him out of respect and admiration for Pistorious.  It does not get anymore genuine and real than a moment like that, and after all, isn't that what the Olympic spirit is all about?  

With the Olympics winding down, it seemed only fitting to share a little golden inspiration with ya'll this week.  Love this gorgeous photo of Kate Moss from Vogue's September issue showcasing what is sure to be a phenomenal pro-British fashion show that will be part of the Olympics Closing Ceremony on August 12th.  Have ya'll heard any other moving stories from the Olympics these past two weeks?  I would love to hear your thoughts as they come to a close the end of this week! 

COUNTDOWN IS ON..

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So the Bachelorette is over, and might I add finally-after what was by far the LONGEST finale ever... and you're probably wondering what in the world are you going to watch on television at night now? Not to worry ya'll, because your televisions are about to be taken over beginning on Friday with the start of the Summer Olympics in London.  Woo Hoo! I am so excited, and love watching the Summer Olympics.  The Opening Ceremonies, in case ya'll don't already have your dvr set, are this Friday on NBC, and from what I can tell they are going to be a bit delayed for us here in the U.S. with them set to come on beginning at 7:30p.m. (EST).  Four years ago, the Beijing Olympics liteerally took the opening ceremony to the next level and set the bar high for London this year, so I look forward to seeing what they have in store for us.  

While I'm mentioning the Olympics, I have to tell ya'll that you must read this touching story about Dominique Moceanu and her sister, Jen Bricker.  I absolutely love watching gymnastics during the Summer Olympic games, and remember Dominique Moceanu when she was a member of the 1996 gold-medal-winning U.S. women's gymnastics team. This heartwarming story is incredible, and amazing and definitely worth taking a few extra minutes to read.  

Oh and hope ya'll enjoyed the eye candy above, I mean does it get any better than the amazing Ryan Lochte? Absolutely not...he's gorgeous! Yes, I'll be tuned in to any and all of the televised men's swimming events if only to catch a glimpse of this guy with his shirt off.  Happy Tuesday!

LOVING THIS JULY...

Happy 4th of July ya'll! Hope you are having a wonderful day & celebrating the holiday with family & friends.  Four days late, but didn't forget to put together the things I'm loving this month.  
I'm looking forward to the Olympics which begins in London on July 27.  I always love watching the gymnastics and reliving my glory days (ha!), yes at one point in life I was majorly into gymnastics, and those girls who make it to the Olympics for gymnastics are amazingly talented.  Then there is the swimming, and I think it goes without saying those guys have incredible bodies, and who doesn't like to watch that? Seriously though, check out the picture below of swimmer, Ryan Lochte? Wow.
  
Those who know me well (and if you don't, well you certainly should get to know me..) know that I love to throw out the phrase "Why So Serious" more than I should... I'm not one to quote anything from movies. Ever. As in I'm NEVER able to remember movie quotes or name that movie, unless it happens to be from Dark Knight, and it happens to be the phrase, "Why so serious?"  Not to mention, one of my favorite songs Pink's "Raise Your Glass" even quotes the great Heath Ledger's phrase, that definitely makes it quote worthy, right?  Well, get excited because the final Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, comes out this later this month and it's sure to be a huge hit.  You'll have to wait until July 20th to see the Dark Knight Rises in theaters, but you can check out the just released trailer here.

(source: Fireworks Image, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Dark Knight Rises, Catalpa NYC)