A Little Something Something

The Whim Wham Life has a new friend!

1). I totally just referred to my blog like it's a living and breathing thing.

2). I hope we can still be friends.

3). I think you'll like this new friend.

4). Or maybe you guys are old friends and I'm like that new girl who prances into your school and wows everyone with my trove of Gelly Roll pens, Lisa Frank notebooks, and totally steals your thunder. What? That doesn't happen anymore?

5). Ok. I'm done.

Needless to say, I'm pee-my-pants-excited to announce a new sponsor on this ol' blog.

{Belo Brazilian Wish Bands}

These Brazilian Wish Bracelets have been a tradition in Brazil & South America for over 200 years. They are said to bring good luck and wish fulfillment to those that carry them.

Celebrities love this unique accessory too!

{Camilla Belle}

{Lauren Conrad}

How it's Done

*Wrap your Belo Band around your wrist and tie three knots.

*Make a wish with each knot.

*When your Belo Band breaks down and falls off, it is believed that your three wishes will come true.

I just love these little bracelets. Wishes and whimsy all wrapped up into a fashion accessory? Yes please!

Belo Bands has offered all of you guys a coupon code for 20% off all bands, good thru April 14th.

Just type in "whimwham" when you checkout.

{Shop}

{Official Facebook}

{ALSO}

I have a few of these bracelets for a giveaway!

The winner will receive {2} Wish Bands

{One for you and one for a friend. Or both for you if you want double the wishes. Ha. I know you too well.}

{To Enter}

1. Be a follower of The Whim Wham Life

2. Leave a comment below saying what you're wishing for

3. "Like" Belo Bands on {Facebook} for an additional entry, if you wish. Ha. wish.

3. Winner will be picked via random.org and announced on Monday, April 4th.

Happy Wishes!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Confessions of a Nanny #2

This is The Bean.

We're pretty much BFF's. Someday he'll grow up and want to hang out with his guy friends all the time though. He'll even be able to make his own grilled cheese with ketchup on the side. Maybe even go to the bathroom without a handful of markers and a Calvin and Hobbes book.

{Maybe}

I'm getting a little verklempt just thinking about it.

Moving on.

{Yes. I'm in denial.}

This is Opal.

The Bean is "her boy" and Bon Bon is "her friend," (according to her, she has about 5 friends total in her little world), and we both are "held in her heart." Meaning, she loves us.

My heart melts a tiny bit.

P.S. Somehow we all have nicknames and sometimes we forget our real names.

It's kind of a zoo over here.

And furthermore. It rained yesterday. After I {wrote} such melodious praises to the sun. Spring showers?

touché, Oregon, touché.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Some People Call Me Bunny

Jacket: Angie

Dress: Lush

Socks: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: Thrifted

Sunglasses: Fuego

I think Spring is here in Oregon!

Finally. I make it sound like I've endured a frigid winter in a log cabin or something.

But I digress.

This may or may not be 2011's Easter Egg Hunt Outfit. Totally legit.

Done and done.

Don't mind the bare and wintery-looking tree branches behind me. Just focus on the bright green grass. The same bright green grass that will soon attempt to knock me out via seasonal allergies.

And

Don't even get me started on the fluffy cotton balls that will begin floating through the air.

{Note: I am excited for Spring. Honestly.}

The sunshine far outweighs all of this and more.

Somehow, I look semi-tan in this photo. I think the white lace headband and knee highs are balancing it all out. In person, I might blind you. At least, my thighs would.

Awkward.

Have you said hello to Spring? Or are you still hibernating?

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Whim Wham Weekend #9

Friday Highlights

{Richard Jefferson is tall}

*It's Friday! We so excited. Just like {Rebecca Black}. I opted for the front seat this time though. Really wrestled with that decision! Sheesh.

*Brunch at Bob's Red Mill with some friends. 2nd weekend in a row. It's either becoming,

(A). a tradition (B). an addiction or (C). both

*AND some of us needed to recoup from the night before at Departure. The free prosecco had been a'flowing! Mmm. The ol' egg and orange juice morning after cure.

*Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun...he indeed came out to play today.

*Strolling along 23rd St. for a little impromptu shopping trip.

*Hitting the sale racks at Urban Outfitters. My kryptonite.

*Netflix Night: "Unstoppable." Intense. Trains are not nice! Thomas the Tank Engine lied to me. Don't worry. I won't tell The Bean.

Saturday Highlights

*Lazy afternoon playing cribbage at Starbucks. We are such an old grandparent couple.

*My official switch to iced beverages has occurred. It feels so good to reunite with my Iced Caramel Macchiatos.

*Honey Salmon, roasted red potatoes, and teriyaki glazed green beans for dinner.

*Laughing the night away as we clicked through FailBlog videos. We are such a little middle school couple.

Sunday Highlights

*Cleaning, laundry, March Madness, grocery shopping.

*Purging my closet again: Anyone interested in some clothes/shoes for sale?

A little bit of everything kind of weekend for us.

Hope yours was swell!

Yep.

Swell.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Stomach, Your Welcome

{via}

This week has been one of those weeks where I've been absent from the kitchen. Not my fault though. And, no, I didn't make Glass Pizza again. Hardy-har-har.

We've just been living the city life and eating some fabulous food along the way.

No complaints here.

Tuesday night, we had, oh hey, pizza at {Ken's Artisan Bakery}. Definitely will try to recreate the thin crust bell pepper with feta cheese and garlic.

Tonight we are shmoozing it up with our friends at {Departure}.

(P.S. I'm a job-finder for people. Who needs CraigsList when you have me in your life? I've hooked four friends up this year alone, with some snazzy jobs. Including Departure. Hello free hotel room/50% off food).

However, I've spent the past 9 hours with "The Bean", (age 4), and "Opal", (age 2). Meaning, my conversation topics want to revolve around Lego City, goldfish crackers, and a particularly rousing game of Candy Land. Adult conversation must commence soon, preferably over a blackberry cocktail. Wish me luck!

And I wish you a happy weekend!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Pep Talk

{via}

You'd think that one of the best compliments I've ever received in all of my 23 years, would be from my stud hubs.

On some days, you might be right. On other days, when my hair is all jungle-lady-ish and there was no "beauty" in my "rest," I fondly and firstly remember the wisdom an old sage,(cough. homeless man. cough), once shared with me.

Like a walking fortune cookie, this man was.

All of life, love, and other mysteries were revealed.

The heavens opened.

Sunlight poured through.

It was all rainbows and butterflies, my friends, as he spoke these profoundly life-changing words upon my soul:

"Daaaaaang girl, Tyra Banks ain't got nothin' on you!"

It may or may not be my new morning mantra.

Seriously. Post-It on your bathroom mirror.

Good to go.

P.S. Hope you all feel beautiful today and everyday!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Mushy

{all photos via my bro-in-law)

Once upon a time, we were engaged. betrothed. twitterpated. smitten. swooning.

The sun was shining and birds were singing, even on the cloudiest of Portland days. We drank sparkly sweet wine, strolled along the train tracks, swung from the trees, and gazed wistfully out into the world.

I'm totally assuming "swung" is a real-life-english word right now.

In the throes of engagement and love, there is no time for grammar.

Just googly eyes.

and the googly eyes live on. as they should.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Confessions of a Nanny

{via}

A Conversation Among Peers

While in the kitchen, eating some goldfish crackers and coloring...

"The Bean" (age 4): Bon Bon, do you know about space?

Bon Bon: A little bit. I can draw a super cool moon and planet with rings around it. Uhhh. It's called Saturn. And we live on planet earth, anddddd...yeah. That's about all I've got. Pretty cool huh?

"The Bean": Hmmm. Well, Stephen Hawking says...

Bon Bon: (jaw hits floor)

The 4 year old always wins.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Whim Wham Weekend #8

{birthday shrine}

Friday Highlights

*Shopping/lunch date with my step-mama, Rachael.

*I'm the only girl among 3 brothers, so, when it comes to girly things, (or life in general), I get spoiled. Not too shabby.

*Chicken Fettucini and a movie, (The Adjustment Bureau), with Daniel.

*Note to self in the future: the new Amarula-esque drink is super strong. Literally, it's your version of moonshine that turns you into a giggling school-girl. And then you fall asleep. Good times Bon Bon. Good times.

Saturday Highlights

*My 23rd Birthday and it was full of sunshine!

*Birthday brunch at Bob's Red Mill. That darn Bob and his biscuits. I'm so addicted.

*Daniel took me shopping: all.day.long. Stud to the Hubs.

*Mid-day coffee/cribbage break in between stores.

*Scored some Sevens, a dress, and lots of new accessories. Now, my search continues online for shoes. Oooh la-la.

*Fun night with friends at the HBIM concert.

Sunday Highlights

*Joint birthday party for my Dad and I. Too much food!

*So blessed by my family.

*Back to reality: laundry/cleaning. I'm the weirdo that enjoys it though. Monica from Friends? Yep, that's me.

A beautiful weekend.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes and love!

Hope it was beautiful wherever you were in the world.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Broken Beauty

{via}

I am so blessed to be a little part of this vibrant blogging community.

Community. Relationships. People.

In the end, that is what this world is all about.

Everything else fades away.

I'll be dreaming of Japan tomorrow.

Dreams of restoration, joy, and ultimately, hope.

I love when dreams come true.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Acquired Taste

{mmm. yes please.}

The other day I was watching one of my favorites shows:

"Bizarre Foods"

It's about traveling and food. I happen to be quite fond of both.

It made me think back on some of my travels...hooray

And of course, some of the bizarre foods...sometimes hooray

One story in particular stands above them all.

A smorgasbord of bizarr-o food in Rwanda.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love Africa. The people, the culture, and most of the food.

Really, I wouldn't trade any of it.

Except for this one night.

Anyone want it? We'll travel back in time and you can have it!

We had been invited to travel out of Kigali and into Burundi to film a documentary about the genocide of '94. After our long and semi-treacherous, (almost sliding off of a cliff during a rainstorm), journey by bus, we were abruptly given a quick tour around the town and thrown right into the wonders of some movie-making-magic...

For the next 15 hours.

I kid you not.

Africa time is real. Oh so real.

Finally. An angel from above, aka the director, said we could wrap-up and grab some food.

I'm pretty sure I cried a little and vowed he would be my patron saint of everything for the remainder of my life.

Since we were the "guests of honor" we went to our host family's house to partake in the feast.

I had visions of chai tea, fanta, rice, beans, chips, mayo, sauce, and salad dancing in my head. A saltine cracker. Anything.

Nope.

So many of my un-favorite things, it was almost funny.

{via}

The weird peanut sauce with huge squishy green Imboga vegetables in it.

The lumpy dough-like Banku, (fermented maize/cassava root), that smells and tastes similar to what I imagine a horse barn would,

Annnnnd

The fried sardines that are piled up high on your plate, complete with eyeballs.

A single banana was my only saving grace

Being the good little houseguest that I am,

I ate everything.

And then was promptly given seconds.

P.S. Somewhere in theaters across Africa, you can have a glimpse of me on the silver screen. I'm probably a celebrity over there by now, with my award-winning acting and all. Never took a lesson.

Hello sarcasm.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Shout Out

{I may or may not have added that last part. shhh}

Remember {these} guys?

Hot Bodies in Motion.

P.S. That's their name, not some weird nickname I've given them.

Get your minds out of the gutter, sheesh.

They are kind of a big deal though. I mean. People know them.

Check out their debut video below, and get to know them too.

Then you'll be a big deal.

Theory of Relativity or something.

It's science.

{via}

If you're in Portland, you'll definitely want to be at this show, (and my birthday).

But mainly the show.

And if you're not in Portland, then what are you waiting for? Get your booty over here. Or up here. Or down here.

This is how I roll.

en route from Whole Foods to the HBIM venue last year.

Meow.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Panache

Top: Flying Tomato

Plaid: Daniel's

Belt: F21

Beanie: F21

Earrings: Gift

Jeans: Cheap Monday

Boots: Thrifted

I've always dressed according to my moods. How I feel, as opposed to what I'll actually be doing for the day.

Impractical? Sometimes.

Fun? Always.

Recently, I was feeling a little rocker-ish. A smidge of Portland. A hint of 90s. Maybe it was the carefree hair or the grey weather.

Whatever it may be,

I'm just a girl who likes to play dress-up in my closet.

Then I go out into the real world and have my stud hubs take pictures of me.

So Rock & Roll.

What's your style philosophy?

xoxo

{Bon Bon}