countdown to my other half

While I'm loving the extra time devoted to my family, I've gotta say that I really miss Joe. We miss each other terribly.

To help us get through this long stretch of being apart I created a little countdown just for us. I email him a daily "calendar page" with a new number and message every morning and he enthusiastically responds before heading off to work. We recently celebrated getting into the 30's and cannot wait to get to 1! It's silly but we're having fun staying connected even in the smallest of ways.

the little things

What. A. Monday. I took the day off to finalize the last of travel documents and let's just say that I'm SO glad to see that process nearly complete. While I sat around waiting to be seen for fingerprints and the like, I reflected on the perfect Sunday we had as a family for my mom's birthday: al fresco breakfast, shopping, cupcakes, and life's little moments that will be treasured forever. In this case it was watching Juliana romp around in her new denim-striped dress while draped in one of my vintage necklaces. She's such a beautiful girl and soon her precious 3 month old little sister, Isabella, will be waddling right behind her.

happy friday!

Scribbles by my niece Juliana keep me looking forward to the weekends. I hope you do something wonderful and spend time with people that bring you joy!

{yes please} back to the future by irina werning

We know that when we grow up our appearances change but exactly how much? Artist Irina Werning can answer that. In her project Back to The Future, Werning took photos of people from their youth and meticulously re-created them as adults today (you must click through to see the rest, they are amazing). I would love to re-create the below photos from when I was 6, 7, or 8 years old. I actually have Ray Bans that look exactly like the sunglasses in the beach shot! While I can't re-do my blond hair or missing teeth, I could certainly find a yellow tank top and make a trip to the beach.

As you scroll down, can we please talk about how awesome my Blossom hat was? And how it was made even more incredible by pairing it with white frayed denim shorts and white leather boots? My mom kept me looking mighty fine.

fat tuesday dreaming

These photos from a 2009 trip are my little ode to Mardi Gras and the beautiful city of New Orleans. What a magical place. The comfort food, hospitality, music, and architecture...it all captured my heart.

I remember walking the streets of the French Quarter completely mesmerized by old mail boxes. Each one felt mysterious yet they could tell a thousand stories. The letters they saw come and go, the residents who anxiously put their keys into the hole to unlock messages from afar. These metal mail boxes were little signs of life and they were made even more intriguing by the colors and textures that surrounded them.

Now, I can't talk about NOLA without sharing a something from Preservation Hall, aka my happy place. Watch and you may understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7M8ZkQma3I

LA or Europe?

If it weren't for the oh-so-SoCal-palm trees, this scene could be straight out of a European city. I don't exactly know where since I've never crossed the pond, but I do hope to find out soon.

In the meantime, views from the Westin Pasadena pool deck will have to do! Anyone have an idea of what type of architecture the pictured city hall was modeled after?

Have a happy weekend!

LA or Europe?

If it weren't for the oh-so-SoCal-palm trees, this scene could be straight out of a European city. I don't exactly know where since I've never crossed the pond, but I do hope to find out soon.

In the meantime, views from the Westin Pasadena pool deck will have to do! Anyone have an idea of what type of architecture the pictured city hall was modeled after?

Have a happy weekend!

LA or Europe?

If it weren't for the oh-so-SoCal-palm trees, this scene could be straight out of a European city. I don't exactly know where since I've never crossed the pond, but I do hope to find out soon.

In the meantime, views from the Westin Pasadena pool deck will have to do! Anyone have an idea of what type of architecture the pictured city hall was modeled after?

Have a happy weekend!

{Yes, Please} art on globes by Wendy Gold

As if vintage globes weren't cool enough, Wendy Gold's custom artwork takes them to a whole other level. Gold hand-cuts themed pieces that are then decoupaged onto the surface to create one-of-a-kind twirling masterpieces, aka ImagineNations.

I'm dying to own the Bon Voyage globe that features bright sun rays bursting out from the America's. But unfortunately, though fitting since I'm moving overseas in two months,  there's just no way that I can add this to the "must shrink" list of things to take.

Perhaps I'll keep it on my wish list and buy it when we return one day and have a more permanent home. We can spin it with fondness and think back to all of the adventures we had abroad. Yes, that sounds like a good plan.

A very birthday weekend

I'm officially growing out of my mid-twenties and ready to enjoy a glorious 26. Between a much needed dinner with my besties, a food and fun-filled day with the family, and precious time with my babe, I couldn't feel more lucky. More fun was had at the beautiful Stahl House but it's more than deserving of its own post. In case you're wondering what the plate of fried goodness in photo 1 is, its a Colombian finger-food plate called "Picada". It's awesome.

A very birthday weekend

I'm officially growing out of my mid-twenties and ready to enjoy a glorious 26. Between a much needed dinner with my besties, a food and fun-filled day with the family, and precious time with my babe, I couldn't feel more lucky. More fun was had at the beautiful Stahl House but it's more than deserving of its own post. In case you're wondering what the plate of fried goodness in photo 1 is, its a Colombian finger-food plate called "Picada". It's awesome.

A very birthday weekend

I'm officially growing out of my mid-twenties and ready to enjoy a glorious 26. Between a much needed dinner with my besties, a food and fun-filled day with the family, and precious time with my babe, I couldn't feel more lucky. More fun was had at the beautiful Stahl House but it's more than deserving of its own post. In case you're wondering what the plate of fried goodness in photo 1 is, its a Colombian finger-food plate called "Picada". It's awesome.