weekend, we

Hi guys, I hope you had a great weekend.

Things got so hectic that I wasn't able to do a Friday post but if you follow me on Instagram, you know that we snuck away to Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.

We're on a mission to take advantage of living in Southeast Asia before we wake up from this dream and realize that it's too late to explore it all. So, we're trying to do and see as much as we can during the weekends while still enjoying our home in KL. Not the worst challenge in the world, right? Game on!

Kota Kinabalu, or KK as locals call it, is the capital city of Sabah. Because of that I expected a big city like KL but to my delight, the downtown area where we stayed was really small, walkable, and best of all, right by the ocean. We've heard amazing things about hiking Mount Kinabalu but since we only had two full days there we decided that we'd save the jungle trekking for another trip and enjoy the islands.

And enjoy we did! There are five islands just off of the mainland and with one main jetty to book a water taxi from, it was super easy to get to and from any of them. A fifteen minute ride on a speed boat took us to Pulau Sapi, or Sapi Island. Most of the people there were part of package deals that include a catered BBQ so with all of them crowded by the main beach, Joe and I set off to find a place of solitude elsewhere on the tiny Island. Our first attempt at following a designated trail was a miss so we decided to try something different. Instead of walking through the jungle we made our way through the rocky shores around the southwestern part of the island. It was easy to do but we were definitely thankful to have our Ring Cozies on since we had to climb up and over some really rough rocks (yes - had to plug Ring Cozy since it works SO well!).

All was good until Joe pointed out a cool prickly aloe-type plant growing out of a rock wall. I looked, said "wow", and then my eyes instantly went to a GIANT lizard right underneath it!  I'm talking 6ft long, prehistoric, big bodied, long-tongue looking lizard. I flipped out and ran into the water. It took Joe about ten seconds to see it because when I screamed "lizard!" he thought that I meant a small one like we're used to seeing - that's how well camouflaged that thing was. Once Joe saw it too, we were both outta there and he said that I should have yelled "GODZILLA!" instead.

Godzilla was immediately forgotten as soon as we walked a few more feet and found a slice of heaven. Aside from a woman who swam up from her privately chartered boat for a bit, we had a little stretch of sand all to ourselves. We joked about all the suckers we left behind on the crowded main beach. But, it wasn't total perfection. There were jellyfish particles in the water that stung like a really bad case of razor burn when I swam for too long, so I stuck to beach-side lounging.

When it was time to leave I was on high lizard-alert and while we didn't see the big one we first saw, we saw another one in the water just beneath the rocks we were climbing (eeekkk!!!). Joe took some photos as I pleaded "okay hunny, I think you got the shot. Let's gooooo!". It was only after that, on our return back to the main beach, that we saw an old rusted sign on the ground that read "AWAS" which means "BEWARE" in Bahasa Malay. Whomever put that sign there probably knows about the Godzilla family that stalks the shores...

At the end of the day were lucky that we got to enjoy that gorgeous little private beach without any real problems. Otherwise, we could have ended up being the suckers who left the main beach! Totally worth it. During lunch at another island, Pulau Mamutik, we Googled 'the lizards of Sapi' and learned that the ones we saw were Monitor Lizards. I think we'll stick with calling them Godzilla.

specstacular

I love creative people. I love entrepreneurs. I love ingenuity and I especially love it when people do something about it.

Uniqubrow is exhibit A. Not content with having to buy different glasses for different styles and moods, my buddy Andrew and his team in Barcelona set off to change how we rock our shades with one single pair of lens and multiple frames.

I'm so excited for their new venture. It's a big task to take on the eye wear industry but they're definitely on to something great. They have just FOUR DAYS to go to reach their funding goal on IndieGoGo so head on over there, give them some love for being so ingenious, and get a nice reward or two in return.

And if you know any shade lovers who might be interested in their own Uniqubrows then please, do pass it along!

crazy for kayu

I'm so excited to finally share some photos of my shoot for KAYU - gorgeous bags with a mission.

I met KAYU's founder, Jamie Lim, via Twitter and as luck would have it she's originally from Malaysia. She was in town over the holidays to visit family and take care of business (her clutches are hand made in South East Asia) so we were able to meet in person and collaborate for her Spring look book photos and graphic design. We hit it off immediately and I was in total awe of her designs. She has somehow accomplished making the traditional artistry of weaving look completely modern and sexy. And as if good looks weren't enough, a portion of sales is donated to perform sight-restoring surgeries in India and to purchase backpacks and school supplies for children in Cambodia. Win-win.

I had a blast walking around KL together with only a bag full of clutches and a determination to "get the shot" despite the hot day and hungry mosquitoes. Felt like quite the urban-jungle warriors at the end of the day!

I can't finish writing this post without mentioning the stall owners at Chow Kit Market. They thought we were nuts every time we asked "can I put this bag here and take a photo?". Sure, crazy ladies...go right ahead. The strange looks were totally worth it as my fave shot is the trio of clutches on the Durian scale. It doesn't get any more Malaysian than that.

Shop KAYU at kayudesign.com and Shopbop.com

show & tell: souvenirs from colombia

What's a trip without bringing home a few souvenirs?

These treasures from Colombia - a beautiful representation of the weaving done by indigenous women of the country - are adding so much life to our home ... and my wardrobe.

The blue cross-body bag's leather was stitched in Bogota but the colorful strap was woven by the Wayuu women who are known for their large bucket-style purses and skillful hamacas. The home accessories were made by women of the Waounan tribe in the department of Choco. The palm fibers used to create these beauties are woven so tightly that the vase piece we bought could hold water without leaking! Amazing.

The one store we loved unfortunately doesn't have a website. Such a shame since their products were all so modern leaning and tastefully done and displayed. But, if you find yourself in Cartagena, their address and phone is below. If you'd like to shop for a vase of your own online, here are some shops that carry an assortment: one, two, three.

Colombia Artesanal Centro, Callejon De Los Estribos No. 2-40, Cartagena 301-788-8108

stay-cation, we

Hi guys, how was your weekend?

We had a great little getaway ... down the street. Literally, we could see our apartment from our hotel room!

Have you ever done a stay-cation? This was our first one and we loved it. One bag for the both of us, a five minute cab ride door to door, and plenty of time to enjoy the hotel without having to be anywhere else - it was the easiest trip ever.

We stayed at the new Grand Hyatt here in KL, a place that we've grown very fond of. We find ourselves dining at one of their restaurants at least once per week (the Malaysian restaurant, JP Teres, is ridiculously good and affordable) and we're big fans of the spa.  The only thing left to try was staying there as hotel guests so we figured, why not! The service there has always been great and the photos of the rooms looked really inviting.

And also, a main motivation to go for it was a deep desire to make up for our experience at the Sofitel Santa Clara in Cartagena, Colombia. That place was so overrated. Between the underwhelming rooms and the lackluster customer service, the value was simply not on par with what we paid for it (and I felt awful that our friends also stayed there with us). I'll give them the nice big pool but otherwise we've never been so disappointed. Please don't ever waste your money there.

Perhaps we're spoiled now by South East Asian hospitality but regardless, we were left feeling like we needed to have a good experience elsewhere ASAP. Thank god that the Grand Hyatt delivered because otherwise I would have been shattered. I'm seriously so in love with that hotel that it's creepy! I guess that sort of thing is bound to happen when you live in a city-center like KLCC where most services and dining options are either in a shopping mall, a business/residential tower, or in a hotel. When in Rome right? In this case, when in KL - home of the cheapest 5-star hotels in the world.

Where have you stay-cationed before? Or, Where would you want to go and what would you do in your city?

viva colombia

Happy Friday guys! I'm wrapping up the week with the last snaps from our trip to Colombia. Looking over all of these brings a HUGE smile to my face.

From the gorgeously green Coffee region where we indulged in natural thermal hot springs and rode horses through a landscape that looks straight out of Dr. Seuss, to Cartagena where colonial charm oozes out of every nook and cranny inside its old fortress walls.

I feel so lucky to have been able to share a bit of my culture with the friends and family who flew down for the wedding. I can only hope that these photos whet your appetite to go explore Colombia one day, too!

We're going to do a stay-cation this Saturday. Literally, we're staying at a hotel two blocks away! We figured that we can't live in a city with the cheapest five star hotels in the world and not try at least one of them. Have a great weekend!

Oh and if you missed them - check out the dots when you hover over images in this post for captions.

the i do's + the fiesta

We had seriously discussed eloping somewhere fabulous in South East Asia but as I sat in my parents' room, doing my hair and makeup and looking at family photos, I couldn't have felt happier to be getting ready to say "I do" at our finca with friends and family by our side.

The only thing we needed to make that happen was the groom and officiant (aka my dad). Joe and my dad had left for a quick errand and hotel guests pick-up when the car broke down with everyone in it. Meanwhile at the finca, it started to rain. Long story short, they made it back just half an hour late, the clouds parted, and the sun came out. Everything from then on was perfect.

Joe made his grand entrance with the donkey from next door and ponchos in tow (not traditional or symbolic in any way, he just wanted to feel like Juan Valdez). And I walked out wearing a dress that we bought while on holiday in Melbourne and my favorite Spanish espadrille wedges. I wasn't even going to try to top the donkey entrance.

We said our I do's, smiled, hugged, and kissed a whole bunch. For dinner we feasted on the best tamales in the world and enjoyed an impressive thundershower while sitting in candle light. Then finally, it was time to bring out the Aguardiente - Colombia's drink of choice. As the shots settled in and made us feel all warm and fuzzy, my aunts surprised us with a traditional Colombian musical group that brought everyone to their feet. Joe and I even had an impromptu "first dance" which involved a lot of jumping around and twisting and turning. It was pretty amazing considering I usually have to beg and plead with him to join me on the dance floor (how quickly marriage changed him).

The rest of the night was flat out fun. We had the best time. With our friends and family present, and of course, plenty of Aguardiente to keep the celebration going...we couldn't have asked for anything more. A simple I do accomplished.

weekend we

Hi guys, how was your weekend? We've been total homebodies since we got back so this weekend Joe made some awesome brownies and applesauce from scratch and we attempted to be artists. Emphasis on "attempted".

There's a huge empty wall in our living room so we put our, eeerrr...painting skills, to canvas and well...let's just say that the photo above is the most you're going to see from this DIY! I don't know what happened but the results weren't what we were hoping for. I think I just really hate the colors I ended up with and Joe's canvas looks like a third grade project. Totally cute if our kid had made it and we put it on the fridge but as our primary wall art? It's just not doing it for us. We'll definitely re-paint them as well as keep our eyes peeled for art done by other people. Like the kind good enough to be in galleries and stuff.

A better DIY moment, however, was receiving my copy of Couch Magazine, all the way from Germany. They included me in their "DIY/Creative blogs to read" list - how awesome is that?! It's the first time I've ever seen my name in a glossy...maybe now I can say "I'm big in Germany" ;)

the setting

Happy Friday, guys! I hope you had a great week. I'm feeling all caught up with work and the home front so now I can start sharing more photos from Colombia. Woo hoo!

These are from the wedding reception setup in the corridor of our finca. Aside from the table and chair rentals, everything we used had a special and personal touch. And...it was all super simple and easy which is just our style.

For the tables, leftover bamboo from a separate house project was cut to create the centerpiece vases (thanks, grandpa!). Instead of buying flowers elsewhere, I opted to used the bougainvillea from the same cluster of plants where we said our vows. It felt right to bring them to the table and the colors really popped against the yellow walls with the mixed arrangements that my aunt Kristina created.

Another aunt brought the tea lights that we placed on remnant terra cotta tiles found in storage, complementing the natural bamboo and burlap already on the table. And to top off the setting, I wrapped biodegradable forks and knives in my favorite napkins that I felt would be perfect for re-using at the finca for future gatherings.

As much as I loved all of the above, my absolute favorite part of the setup was the cupcake table. My mom made the cupcakes and was also the genius behind the display stands that were made using bamboo, cut-to-size wood, thick twine, and burlap place mats. Nothing a glue gun couldn't handle! And of course, the gorgeous tropical arrangement with flowers from the property that brought the whole table to life.

Everything came together so well by using what we had on-hand and getting creative. It was all so fitting for the casual affair and spirited nature of the day, we couldn't have been happier. Gracias familia for pitching in and making it happen!

Wedding photos coming up next week. Have a good one!

(photos 2 and 3 by Katherine Apolinar)

bienvenidos

Welcome to our finca, my family's country home in Pereira, Colombia! Before I get to sharing wedding photos I wanted to show you why we chose to get married there. It's not just because it was free or because we had our pick at fresh fruit and eggs all day and everyday, but because it is beautiful and tranquil beyond belief. And...it's our casa.

This is where we spent a good part of our trip prepping for the wedding, relaxing, eating and simply enjoying each other's company. My parents have been painstakingly renovating and decorating it for the past ten years and though they still have big plans for it, it's already perfect in my eyes. It's nature all over...the flowers, plants, fruit trees, free range chickens, ducks, dogs, neighboring farm animals and our reliable entertainment, tropical birds. Bird watching alone made me forget all about internet access and what happened on The Walking Dead that week. Joe had his fair share of hamaca (hammock) naps and I just loved being around my mom and dad, seeing what they were up to, enjoying the proximity for impromptu hugs and kisses to/from them.

The finca has all of the collected touches that my parents taught me to appreciate. They made every effort to bring antique and country-style finds that they had bought while living in LA for the one day that they moved back to Colombia and could really make the finca the home they always wanted it to be. So much has been made by hand, too, with materials found around the property and a little ingenuity. My mom and dad are so creative that I can't wait to see what the place looks like in a few years. But of course, we won't be waiting that long to go back. Joe was scheming up ways to work there as the innkeeper and maintenance help just so that we could stay! You neevvveerrr know.

If you're planning on visiting Colombia (which you totally should if it's not already on your 'places to go' list) my parents will soon be posting the finca on Airbnb and offering guided day trips around the Coffee Triangle. They are the most amazing people that I know so yes, staying with them comes highly recommended, bias or not :)

back to reality

Hi guys, how have you been?!? After two weeks of resting, exploring, eating our hearts out, and enjoying friends and family in Colombia, Joe and I are back home in KL and are still smiling from it all. Not counting a stomach bug that put a few of us out for 24 hours (mine was longer, unfortunately), everything was amazing. I can't wait to share bits of the adventures and of course, the wedding day, with you all as soon as I catch up with work and stuff on the home front. I just spent a good part of the morning re-stocking our kitchen and cleaning so that I can sit at my desk with a happy belly and a happy/tidy home. I'm definitely ready to get back to reality but I'm silly excited to re-live the trip through upcoming posts :)

PS. Flickr caught a bug while I was away too and they removed a ton of images from my blog (as you can tell). Working on fixing it...sorry for the eyesore.

not so little anymore + adios for now

While looking at these photo booth pics with my family and Joe that I have placed around our home, I thought "wow... I'm not so little anymore". Packing for our first trip to Colombia together thinking of the celebration and fun that awaits, I couldn't help but also think of how crazy life is as you get older and experience the many chapters of life. One by one, you write each sentence and paragraph with every action you take. Before you know it, the school chapters are done, work and career ones begin and forever get revised, love stories develop - some flourish and some don't - and family remains the constant thread throughout. The book of life is one neat novel, isn't it?

I'm excited to head out today and continue Joe's and mine's story together with a special wedding day. That plus some holiday fun with friends and family will surely make the next two weeks fly by...I'll be sure to stop and smell the coffee beans in the midst of it all ;)

Will see ya back here later this month when we return but until then, you can catch me and our Colombian adventures on Instagram and Twitter. Vamonos!

a month of love

Home sweet home. I'm back in KL and I've been unpacking, doing laundry, and catching up with Joe, work, and of course, Downtown Abbey. I had a full marathon via our iTunes subscription since the entire season is now online - I couldn't believe it!

Our week before flying to Colombia is already jam packed so it's a fun treat to kick it off by being a part of Cuyana's 14 Days of Love campaign where I share my personal and brand-love stories. I absolutely love what those ladies are doing in giving artisans around the world a beautiful and stylish platform to share their work.

Being asked to be a part of their campaign couldn't have come at a better time. February is a special month for Joe and I as it is our "Valenbirthsary" when we celebrate everything at once: the day we met, valentine's day, and my birthday. And this year we get to add a wedding date! Add the fact that we get to share that date with the people we love and there's all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings going on. February, you're my fave.

over and out

Hi guys! I'm all packed and ready to fly back home today. This month was a total whirlwind but I'm leaving feeling a little wiser than I arrived. Met a lot of great people, saw a lot of encouraging things on the production end, and made it through driving around in traffic unscathed (cars are just not my thing anymore). Work stuff aside, spending time with my sister and nieces was the best. They are such beautiful people. As is our friend Jeanne who let me crash at her beach pad these last two weeks. I never got to live on the coast while in LA but I'm sold on the tranquility and community charm of Hermosa and Manhattan. You simply can't hate waking up and walking down to the strand for a run with an ocean breeze! I got very spoiled.

I'll gladly leave the beach though if it means that I get to be back home with Joe. I miss my favorite person too too much. Loads of hugs and kisses await.

And I know it's a bit late but thank you thank you thank you for your awesome support and response to my Ring Cozy announcement last week! I've got my work cut out for me but I'm definitely ready for it.

Chat you from KL!

P.S. a special thank you to Jan over at Poppytalk for this rad post!

announcing: RING COZY

I never imagined that an engagement ring would do anything other than sit and look pretty on my finger but in fact, it has inspired me to create a brand new product. Introducing: Ring Cozy, a jewelry ring protector designed for people who want to keep their ring on while enjoying an active lifestyle.

The idea to protect my ring came after constantly worrying about damaging it while working out at the gym and fretting about taking it off for "safe keeping" elsewhere. I wanted a comfortable and easy way to cover my ring without interfering with whatever I was doing. It also needed it to be versatile enough to use in the water while swimming (you know how those fingers can shrink). Several prototypes and neoprene sheets later and here you have it, the Ring Cozy! I've designed two different styles for rings with or without raised stone settings and will have sizes for men and women. Because yes, men wear rings, too.

I came to LA with 350 samples that I sewed at home and have been giving them to friends and strangers to try out in exchange for their feedback. Since I can't  reach through the computer screen and offer the same to you (really wish I could!), I invite you to take a quick survey. It's painless, I promise, and it will help me see whether or not people share my concern for protecting that special ring on their finger! Make sure you provide an email address at the end and check off "blog" + write "Anamu" so that I can send you something special if you make a purchase within a month after sales launch online. I wanna show you, my awesome readers, some extra love!

So, now you know what's been keeping me busy these days and hopefully for many more to come. This trip has been so insightful and encouraging that it makes finally sharing Ring Cozy with you that much more exciting. There is still much to do but the important thing is that it's happening! I'm going for it. Thank you for being a part of it via this blog!

thoughts over sunsets

Hey guys, how have you been?! I've been MIA from the blog but I certainly haven't been slacking in anything else. Honestly, don't think that I'll rest until I'm on the flight back home! Not complaining though because I'm doing everything that I came here for, and then some.

It feels like my personal to-do list is just as long as my work one. Going to the dentist, getting a haircut, shopping for favorite things that can only be (or are more easily) found here, and of course, prepping the final details for next month's wedding in Colombia.

I'm starting to get really excited about it now that it's just several weeks away. Sure, I've been excited about the trip in general for months now but since I've been so caught up with my new product launch and somewhat removed from the details (my mom and dad are doing the gritty work locally), I haven't really had that direct connection to planning and anticipating the day. It wasn't until my sister and I went shopping for my nieces' flower girl dresses that I felt the emotions of "getting married" hit me. Those two little ones definitely made it feel real for me. Aside from buying my own dresses and a few things for the reception that we'll ship from LA, it was one of the few tangible things that I've done for the actual wedding day.

My parents have been amazing ever since we told them that we wanted to get married at our family finca. They're finding the best deals for our group transportation, rental vendors, hiring cooks, and shopping for other essentials. We're keeping things simple but never the less, some things require attention and I'm so thankful that they and my other family members are putting so much energy and love into it. They've also been busy sprucing up the finca for everyone to enjoy. I haven't been there in four years so I can't wait to see how it looks now that it's getting my parents' special TLC. I'm feeling really blessed right now…for the special day ahead of us and for everything, really.

Thankful for supportive the friends and former colleagues I'm seeing this month, thankful for the health and energy that keeps me going every day to learn, grow, and do more with what I've got, and most of all, thankful for my beautiful man back home in KL whom I love and miss like crazy.

So yes, all is well. Busy, but well. Check back tomorrow to finally see what I've been up to!

getting started

Hi guys, how was your weekend? As you can probably tell, I wont be posting daily while I'm here in LA but I will check in often.

It's been non-stop since I arrived but it's already been an eye-opening several days with the feedback I've received. It's exciting to end each day with new insights about improving a sample or a strategy, for example, but also equally terrifying to think that there's so much more that I don't know and will need to figure out as I go along.

That's the beauty of the process I suppose.  Everything comes together with each step you take and before you know it, you've got a long trail full of experiences behind you. Have you ever looked at a completed to-do list from a past project and thought "wow, at one point all of these items looked so overwhelming!"? It's at that moment when you can really see how far you've come. I love that part of creating something...it makes everything and anything seem possible as long as you take it step by step.

Today will probably be spent standing in more lines than I'd like but at least I'll have the California sun and blue skies to keep me company as I zip from here to there. This weather is exactly why I once thought that I'd never leave LA. But since I did leave, it's really amusing to hear and see everyone freaking out about it getting below 50 degrees. I guess my adopted London blood is still with me after nine months but we'll see if it wears off by the end of this trip. Either way, it's nice to feel something other than balmy for a change :)

making it hot in the new year

Hey guys, happy new year! I hope that 2012 wrapped up well and that you're off to a great start in 2013.

I didn't expect to take such a long break from the blog but it became necessary in order to focus on work. I had some great moments with Joe, exploring and relaxing but mainly I was busy with a bit of freelance work and A LOT with my new personal venture. I've been mentioning it for a while now but this month will be about making it happen in the physical sense. I'm off to LA today where I'll spend the next month market testing, looking for production options, and checking out the retail side of things.

I will soon share what I've been working on with you, I promise. It may or may it blow your mind but I believe in it and that in itself is worth doing what I can to make the iron hot.

So with that I say cheers to a new year with new adventures, new challenges, new lessons, and new beginnings!

end of year wishes

I'm signing off for 2012 but before I go I want to wish you and yours a beautiful holiday and happy new year. Thanks again for sharing this year's moments with me, professionally and personally. Can't wait to see what we get into in 2013. Lots of love.... ciao!!!

a year's worth of wanderlust II

This time of year always makes me reflect and one of the things that I'm most grateful for are the opportunities we've had to travel. We set out to live internationally for many reasons but traveling was/is priority numero uno. Looking back, I think we did a good job a sticking to our plan even though some days it feels easier to just veg out at home! Here are my fave moments, sights, and thoughts from our 2012 travel adventures....

Breaking away from Europe and landing in Marrakech. High hopes and expectations were met with a chaotic Medina with a character all its own.

Passed Berber Villages in the Atlas Mountains and seeing nothing but beautiful vistas. And snow. Who would have thought Africa had snow?!

Sipping on fresh mint tea while picking out our new/old Berber rug...the perfect souvenir!

Our first LA visit together and indulging in three things: In N Out burgers, Mexican tacos, and fresh American donuts. This photo was from our morning binge session while doing loads of laundry next door.

Re-discovering the cool designs and colors found in LA

Taking a quick break from LA to Anchorage, Alaska for a visit with Joe's parents. It was so awesome to be in the house he grew up in and see his childhood town.

a day-trip to Oxford - LOVED it there. For you Hogwarts fanatics - their cafeteria is just off to the left.

Stopping in Florence en route to Chianti. It's so true that the entire city is a museum.

enjoying an impromptu lunch overlooking vineyards near Greve Chianti. Hands down my fave meal of the trip...for sentimental reasons, mainly, because the other meals were aawweesooomme.

a "booze and chocolate tour" of Brussels with some sight-seeing on the side. A flea market was also involved - this one was one of the most legit I've been to.

Leaving our love-lock in Paris as we wrapped up our time in London.

Our first trip after moving to KL: Penang. So colorful and vibrant.

and with charming old character everywhere you look.

Piggy-backing on one of Joe's business trips to Bangkok and exploring by boat.

Visiting Singapore for the first time and wishing we had moved there instead since it was so clean, organized, and seemingly perfect. It was during a rough point in my new-home adjustment but now love and appreciate the imperfect and real character of KL.

The beach holiday that ruined it for any other ones in the future. Con Dao, Vietnam was utter perfection. Honeymoon is done and done.

Going back to LA to give these little ones hugs and kisses and begin research on my new venture.

Making a long-weekend out of Joe's business trip to London. We'll take any amount of time there, no matter how long the flight. Plus, Joe needed to stock up on his favorite Whisky and you can pack more with two people + checked bags than you can with one ;)

The unexpected layover in Abu Dhabi from London. I did my best to make the most of my 48 hours there despite major jet-lag (I was only one week back from LA!)

Getting to know and love the bits of Melbourne that give it it's reputation as a hub for good coffee shops and interesting street art.

Hanging out in Bondi Beach where I used to splash around as a toddler. Can't believe that we used to live just down the road. Part of me wonders what it would have been like to grow up there and be a little beach bunny...

... or just dance around The Opera House all the time...

...and with Australia, that brings us to a wrap!

But we won't be idle for too long. With the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa covered in one year (that is cray cray!) it's only fitting that we kick off 2013 with South America in February. Yep, I cannot wait to visit my parents in Colombia and say our "I Do's" with family, friends, and buñuelos!

I'm so thankful for this beautiful year....and to you guys for sharing it with me. I'll stop before I get all sappy but know that interacting with you via this blog, twitter, instagram, email is such a joy. And if you just joined me this year, you can catch up on where we went in 2011 by clicking here. Oh, the places we will go......