Acquainted With The Night

Two Years Blogging!

2012-01-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today is my two year anniversary of blogging! I am honestly so thrilled about this, that you don't even know! I started this blog to find out if I enjoyed writing or not, and I found out that I did and so I just kept writing!

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I really blog because of all of YOU, all of my blog readers. You all are pretty darn amazing and I truly enjoy every single one of your comments, your thoughts, your opinions and your similarities to me that can help create some blogger friendships. Over the past two years, I have enjoyed this blog immensely and part of that is because of all of you!

Over the past two years, I have written a lot of blog posts, and I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my most favorite ones! :)

I absolutely love writing all the Wedding Wednesday Posts!
I also love writing about Health and Exercise [even though these posts aren't that popular]

This post where I talk about my self doubt in myself and my looks was one of the most popular this year!
The Catcher and the Rye post has also gotten a lot of views...but I'm sure that's just kids who didn't read the book for school and need some info on it! :)

I do have some new goals for this blog though!

I would love to work with a blog designer this year, maybe get a new blog name, but definitely a new design [have any recommendations?]

I would love to blog more about health and exercise, recipes that I cook, and more about my life! Like that cat I want to adopt and getting together my new apartment!

I would also love to expand my blog horizons and while keep talking about what I LOVE, maybe have some guest bloggers to vary things up [email me if you're interested!]

AND finally, Wedding Wednesdays will continue, and Motivational Monday's will begin! :D

Thank you all for reading, can't believe it's been two years since I started with this blog [my first blog post btw] I hope you continue to read and enjoy my blog!

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Oh and PS 1 year ago...

2012 New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Now that it's a new year, it's time to set some resolutions and keep them! :) Number one is to actually share with all of you my New Year's Resolutions, and what I have planned for the upcoming year! I do hope all of you had a great time celebrating and are ready to get busy! :)

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HEALTH

Exercise 5 times a week [I already have a chart made to help me with this goal!]

Eat at least one serving of a fruit or vegetable at every meal.
Keep up with my running and try to run 365+ miles this year! [This rocking playlist should help!]
Remember to stretch so I am not sore for days!
Keep up with Yogalosophy [great for the derriere]

HOME

Get all paperwork organized in files and not just stacked.
Organize closet and keep it that way [by getting rid of really old clothes]
Get a cleaning schedule and keep it so my new apartment always looks nice.
Update my wardrobe slowly with quality items.
Get a budget all worked out.

LIFE

Watch my mouth [it has been known to be especially vicious at times]
Step out of my box a little and say yes when I would normally say no.
Try to think more positively about situations instead of being pessimistic
Try to just be happy by getting outside more, hanging out with family, making friends, going to movies, and simply just being.

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Hopefully all my other goals for this year will lead to my ultimate goal of being happy in life, and with myself. That is my number one goal...it seems like I've been enveloped in a curtain of sadness/just existing for a very long time. This year I hope to start living instead of merely existing. I need to do what I want to do and enjoy doing, and figure out who I am and what makes me happy :)

What are your goals/resolutions for the New Year?

I have some goals for this blog as well, but I will share them tomorrow...my 2 year blogging anniversary! :D

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened in 2011, and I am honestly glad to see it go because it was a tough year, and I am excited to see what 2012 will bring!

I tried a lot this year, including ballet, reading more books, and running more and doing yoga.

I also lost a lot this year, besides my dad with the 1st stroke, 3rd and worst stroke, and eventually taking him home on hospice and his death...I didn't mention that our dog Max got cancer and died [which broke my dad's heart], and my cat T.C. has also died this year...

It's been a tough, tough year, but thankfully there were some good parts to it! There were lots of Wedding Wednesdays, and fun time with family

[my stepmom Ann and I cleaning up after Christmas morning]

Birthdays were celebrated...

[my stepbrother Joseph's]

Two new babies were born into my family.

I also went to Disneyland, traveled around a bit in Southern California, and had a lovely Thanksgiving, and Christmas [in fact there were 3 Christmases, that will be recapped soon!] all in all, the spending more time with family is something that helped a lot in 2011, and I hope to be better at and do more in 2012!

Anyway, here's to all you lovely blog readers, I hope you have a healthy, happy and fun 2012 and I can't wait to blog about all my adventures coming up [including New Years Resolutions!] You all inspire me so much, and I adore getting to read all of your comments!

Happy New Year! :)

[last sunset of 2011]

Rocking Winter Playlist For The New Year

2011-12-30T16:35:00.000-08:00

Since January 1st is only a few days away, I have made a new playlist! Partly because I had some iTunes gift cards to use, but also because getting back into fitness/working out is a priority for many people at the beginning of the year, including me! :)

I will be including the exercises I have been doing everyday in my regular blog posts and having some special blog posts that will be dedicated to exercise/health/weight loss.

BUT now, here are some rocking songs to inspire you all to get moving, you know so eventually one day we can look like this...

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Lonely Boy- The Black Keys [kick ass song with a great beat]
In The Ayer - Flo Rida [fun song, good beat, 69 cents on iTunes, gets your booty moving!]
Whenever, Wherever - Shakira [she always has good and sexy songs, again 69 cents on iTunes]
Fight For Your Right - Beastie Boys [Classic, fun song! 69 cents on iTunes]
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani and Akon [throwback song to high school aerobics! We did push ups and abs to this song!]
Your Love Is My Drug - Ke$ha [Love her!]
Tik Tok - Ke$ha [great beat, and makes you feel like you woke up feeling like P Diddy]
Lose Yourself - Eminem [I love 'rapping' to this in my head while running, super strong song!]
Yeah! - Usher, Lil John, Ludacris - [peace up A-Town & great beat]
Low - Flo Rida [apple bottom jeans anyone?]
Erase Me - Kid Cudi [one of my most favorite songs from this year! & a fun music video with McLovin]
T.G.I.F - Katy Perry [probably what may happen on New Years Eve...but totally fun song]
Sinner - Big B & Scott Russo [another great song from this year, good for a cool down, or chilling out song]

There are a few more songs, but those are the highlights and my favorites!
Of course, My Confidence Song is always on my playlists as well! :)

PS the Victoria's Secret Model above is Lindsey Ellington and here is how she gets her legs and butt!
Lunges may become my new BFF

PS there will be Motivational Mondays starting as well!
AND
Wedding Wednesdays will continue!

Exercise for yesterday... .93 mile walk and a 1.69 mile run [in which I did not get lost!] The day before was 55 minutes of Yogalosophy and the day before that was another run!

What have you all been up to?
Do you have any fitness/health goals?

New Years Resolutions 2011 Revisited

2011-12-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Here is a recap on what I had planned for 2011...my 2012 resolutions will be up soon...as soon as I figure out exactly what I want to achieve, and aspects of my life I really want to work on!

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HEALTH:
+ start and finish 'Couch Potato to 5k'
this didn't happen...I think I got bored around week 5+ incorporate more fruits and vegetables
I have been adding a lot of vegetables and definitely eat at least one at dinnertime for sure. + visit more farmers markets
I did in the beginning, but in wintertime... warm grocery stores win! + Try to eat one meal a day without bread/rice/pasta
I think this is happening! If I have a baked potato...I don't have bread + Run first 5k before birthday (May 31)
I completed this on the Treadmill a few times! :)

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LEISURE:
+ Take more walks outside in nature
Eh hasn't happened as much, but I did start running outside! + Limit computer time
It's hard to tell if this has happened or not...hopefully it has!+ Try to read 2 books a month
I blogged about 8 books I read this year...I KNOW I have read more than that! + Clean more often
- start doing the dishes immediately and learn to 'clean as you go'
Done! :D I now clean when I have nothing else to do...this includes cleaning my step siblings houses...

LIFE IN GENERAL:
+ Get A Job
Done+ Walk to school, save gas and money
I took some online classes which saved gas and money!+ Get a Routine
Eh...I still need to do this+ Clean car and keep it clean!
Car was clean...now has tons of water bottles and papers in it :/+ Have a Plant and keep it alive
Didn't buy a plant to do this. + Improve "Keeping in Touch"
EPIC FAIL+ Volunteer Somewhere
I volunteered with the bunny rescue once...and gave every bell ringer I saw money!+ Work on Communication Skills
Working on this right now. My stepmom Ann and I are getting along so much better!+ Stop playing dumb Facebook games (sorority life, my vineyard, another one I can't remember)
I don't play ANY Facebook games! + Travel Somewhere New
I have traveled a lot around Southern CA to places I haven't been before...maybe this counts...

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How were your New Years Resolutions?

Tell me about one that you achieved! :)

Christmas Isn't Over Yet!

2011-12-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

We are still celebrating over here, as my niece Lilee comes into town today! I do think today is the last day...but how were all of your Christmases??

via the beldam tumblr

And now for some fun holiday questions...

What is your favorite tradition?
What is your favorite holiday song?

Look At These Shoes

2011-12-22T14:57:00.000-08:00

I know I've been an absent blogger, but holidays means family time!! :)

I will start sharing pictures soon...but first look at these shoes! I think I am in love!

They're from Modcloth and they're SUPER lovely! :)

What shoe have you fallen in love with lately?

Yogalosophy

2011-12-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hi sorry for the absence! We had a big family weekend that lasted until yesterday evening! Pictures and a recap will be up soon!

Yesterday morning, I did the yoga DVD Yogalosophy...you know the one that Jennifer Aniston does! Let me tell you it kicked my ass! No wonder Jennifer Aniston has the body that she does.

[via Popsugar Australia]

Now I only did the 35 minute express routine, but I thought it was great! You start in a pose, hold for 8 breaths, then do a set of strength moves for 8 counts [and then sometimes repeat the 8 counts] and then pulse the strength move for 8 counts!

An example would be...

[via]

Going from that pose, or from plank, into doing pushups, and then pulsing the pushups!

It's insane, but I LOVE it! It is kind of healing, and after you've sweated...your body just feels so much better, and really so does your mind! I'm off to go do some Yogalosophy now! :)

What exercise have you been doing lately?

Jackie and Caroline

2011-12-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

via Cape Cod Collegiate

How lovely is this picture of Jackie and Caroline?
It kind of shows the true essence of motherhood...everything is so calm and serene, it's just a mother and her daughter, a perfect little family...

Anyway, I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
I have my stepbrothers birthday party tonight and it's going to be fun! :)
What are you all up to this weekend?

PS I kind of want to categorize this as baby fever...but Caroline isn't a baby here...but it makes me want to have a baby so that this one day can happen to me! :)

A Holiday Survey

2011-12-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

I got these questions from Julie over at Peanut Butter Fingers and thought it would be fun!

25 Questions: Holiday Style

Eggnog or hot chocolate?

Hot Chocolate...but rarely

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

He wraps them! Santa always wraps presents...or maybe the elves do! :)

Colored lights on tree/house or white?

Colored lights all the way around
Oh but with Candy Cane lights as well! :)

Do you hang mistletoe?

No can't say I ever have!

When do you hang your decorations up?

When I was younger it was the first weekend of December...but now it's as soon as possible!

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Uhm...Fruit salad...? Maybe some jello salad [jello mixed with Cool Whip and mini marshmallows] I am not sure on this one...It's just food.

Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Driving around Paso Robles and all the neighboring towns to look at Christmas Lights.

What is on your Christmas wish list?

Uh. Nothing! I am not a fan of getting gifts!
I am not a big fan of getting gifts at all...but maybe a pair of Nike Running Capris but I'm not telling anyone!

Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

When I was younger, I would open the gift from my Grandfather Walker and the family from Oregon on Christmas Eve...
This year, we are going to open all gifts on Christmas Eve because we are going over to Erin and Joseph's house to watch Maddie and Sky open presents at like 6:00 in the morning.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

With lights, and ornaments! I like snowflake ornaments and Santa's and just regular ornaments that have been around FOREVER

Snow? Love it or dread it?

Love, Love, Love it! :)
Definitely love looking at the snow covered mountains all the time. Can't wait to see the snow!

Real tree or fake tree?

Real ALL THE WAY

Do you remember your favorite gift?

A bicycle, a gorgeous red jacket, leopard print flats, a few other items as well!

What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Spending time with my family.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

You know...I am not a major sweet tooth, so I don't have a favorite dessert!
BUT...I just remembered I do like homemade fudge with walnuts! :)

What is your favorite tradition?

Driving around looking at Christmas lights...
Going to go pick out a tree

What tops your tree?

An angel. There has always been an angel on top of the tree.

Do you prefer giving or receiving?

I enjoy giving gifts a lot more than receiving! Seeing that look on someones face looking at the gift that I picked out especially for them...it's priceless.

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Oh Holy Night

Candy canes, yuck or yum?

They're good, I don't go out of my way to eat them...but I will if Peppermint Bark is involved :)

Favorite Christmas movie?

The Holiday, Four Christmases, Fred Claus [I do like Vince Vaughn

What do you leave for Santa?

Homemade Cookies and Milk

Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

When I was little, I would wait until my parents decided to get up, then open some presents, and drive over to my grandparents house [The Beach House] or wait for them to go to my house!

view from near the beach house!

Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

It depends...I do shop at the mall, but I have been buying a lot of stuff off of Amazon recently

Christmas letter or Christmas card?

Christmas cards! Specially picked out and definitely something nice written inside!

Pick out one of these questions and answer it in a comment, or more than one, or any of them!

Re blog and answer in your own post! :)

Spread the Holiday Cheer!

Gift Guide Part #2: For The Book Connoisseur

2011-12-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

The thing is...a person needs to write what they know, and I know a lot about books [and shoes] so this gift guide is for the book connoisseur, the book lover. OR the wanna be book lover, the person who wants to learn to read and love books, or the person who wishes that they could read more books in general.

These are my most favorite books that I recommend to EVERYONE! They make perfect gifts too.

My Life in France by Julia Child this is an amazingly fantastic book. I believe I picked it up while the movie Julie and Julia was out in theatres. [I actually blogged about it in one of my first blog posts]. It is the most amazing story of Julia Child and her husband moving to France, and how she was bored with her life, so she decided to start cooking [after eating all the delicious food].

It also goes into a lot of detail about her hard time at Le Cordon Bleu, how she kept working hard at cooking, met some ladies and decided to write a cookbook with them. It is a remarkable story!
You can also gift the move along with the book!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is a really good book. I finished it an afternoon after staring at page 40. I recommend reading the book before watching the movie BTW [but you can gift both of them together too!] The writing in the book is so imaginative and beautiful. I know it's strange to say, but the writing is really just beautiful.

The Year of Magical Thinking is a fantastic book, but it is also insanely sad. It is really the harrowing, raw and real look and gives powerful insight about grief. And how grief manifests itself and is really a much more powerful thing than people realize.
[One of the best quotes comes from this book]

via style me pretty
A classic novel like Pride and Prejudice or anything like that, would be a perfect gift for your friend who is the eternal hopeless romantic. You can also gift this with one of the numerous versions of the movie out there, or simply just wrap a pretty version in a bow as shown above.

This funny print based on a quote by L.M.Montgomery [Anne of Green Gables author] for your friend to hang on their wall, maybe near their favorite reading nook.

This Jane Austen bookmark set would be a super cute gift for a book reader, and obviously a Jane Austen lover as well!

The Yellow House is SO good! I just started reading this book last night, and I am already in love with it. It takes place in Ireland, has politics, and love and it's utterly delicious! I've already read about 80+ pages! :D

Other Books that are good gifts are:

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Giffin [total chic-lit totally good]
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss [crazy but good! SO GOOD!] {book review coming soon!}

What book would you give someone as a gift?
PS A word of advice...make it a book that you read, and can be knowledgeable and can talk about with your recipient!

A Garden Wedding {Wednesday} With Hot Pink!

2011-12-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

This wedding is lovely and gorgeous and *lively*! You can tell the wedding was alive with fun. The ceremony is in a garden and so many of the details are so unique, such as the bridesmaids dresses, the cake, and so much more! This wedding is very colorful, bright, cheerful, and you can tell that every single person there was having a great time!

See? Look at how the dresses gradate in color! Isn't it a lovely look?

I love the unique teardrop detailing on her dress, and his striped socks!

A better view of the gradating bridesmaid dresses!

Lovely picture thought the wildflowers, and here you can see all the little teardrop ruffles on her dress!

They look so happy!

They had a pie dessert bar!

And a little cake for themselves! :)
Look at that gradating pink!

Wasn't that wedding lovely?
[all photos via w. scott chester photography]

If you were to do a gradating color theme for a wedding...what color would you gradate? And where would you use it? [dresses, cake layers, cake icing?]
I think maybe an orange color would look lovely, but really
any color would look fun and very unique

Boden Dresses

2011-12-13T08:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to seeing a pin on pinterest I have found my new favorite clothing store!
Cant' wait for warmer weather to wear dresses! :)

How perfect is this look?
It would be great for a casual work outfit, or a walking around town/farmers market/summer activities outfit! It's called the Valentine Dress

This dress is so casual and lovely, it is called the Siena dress! I love how there is detailing at the neck to make the dress unique.

This is called the Laidback Linen Dress, and it's one that I would LOVE to wear! It's sweet, looks nice, and has kind of a retro vibe that I love!

Finally, this Casual Jersey Dress is quite lovely, and would be perfect anywhere! I would wear this every single day if I could!

Are you a fan of dresses?
In the summertime they are my uniform. I do not and will not wear anything else.
[Example #1]

Have you ever worn a dress with black tights?
I am planning to this weekend [with my new shoes], and I am wondering if anyone has advice on what kind of black tights to get!

Christmas Cookie Baking

2011-12-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, my stepsister Dawn came over and she and Ann baked cookies, and we decorated some that we had baked earlier! Here are the highlights. We made snowball cookies [also known as Mexican Wedding Cake cookies], decorated sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies, and some maple bars that went un-pictured.

This is the gingerbread man that I made! He has a lady friend...

Isn't she lovely!? She was an accident but I dropped that first pearl sprinkle on the left on the neck area, and thought, that would make a perfect pearl necklace! :)
It was just perfect that the lips worked out great too!

PS I am in instagram under amwalker31

PPS here is my card for Max

It's NOT too late to send one yourself!
All the info is here!

Gift Guide Part #1: For People With Houses

2011-12-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

I know it sounds strange, getting things for people with houses, or apartments, or just a place to decorate...but sometimes a little something for your friends and family to put out in their home, or use everyday, is a nice gesture for them to be reminded of you! Especially if they have recently moved! [Hi Chris and Jenny! :) ]

A French inspired Candy Cane Mug! It seems so cozy for winter use to have your friend drink hot cocoa, tea or coffee [all year round] out of! Only $14.00

A gorgeous, soft, luxurious Scallop-knit throw to cozy up in at nights, or drape over the couch during the days, or to just have on the bead for some extra warmth. $79.00

A cool vegetable print that could be hung in their kitchen, to add artwork and color! $20-$100

These soapstone trays that come in a lovely color, can hold just about anything and everything, and that helps Aid to Artisans which helps bring economic opportunities for artists around the world, who live in struggling areas. $28.00

These pretty Latte Bowls in Raspberry no I don't know why they are called latte bowls...lattes are coffee drinks with milk that come in mugs...people don't drink them out of a bowl, but they are pretty and versatile! $20.00

These striped candles would go with any decor, burn up to 14 hours, and are also smokeless and drip free, and have lead free wicks! :) $24.00

This awesome Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere Wall Calendar It is a gorgeous calendar that would look lovely on anyones wall! $25.00

The ultimate book of decorating...domino! I REALLY miss that magazine, but thankfully they have a book that is perfect for interior design inspiration, and giving new ideas to rooms that may be "blah" and it would make a great coffee table book at that! $17.00-21.00

PS Here Are Some More Household Holiday Gifts!

Gingerbread & Pear

2011-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

This inspiration board is so gorgeous! It is dark, and dramatic, and intimate. The colors of dark, dark brown and the lighter greens go perfectly together, and the perfect look for a rich, evening, autumn/winter wedding! :)

via Snippet and Ink

What color do you think would make the best dark and dramatic wedding look?
I think dark purple and royal blue would make a nice look too!

PS remember This Christmas Wedding?? 'Tis the Season!

Giving Back This Holiday Season

2011-12-09T09:54:00.001-08:00

This morning on Facebook, Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers posted that she had gotten an email from a nursing student from West Virginia who gave some information of a child's Christmas wish. His name is Max and he is 8 years old and battling leukemia and won't be able to make it home for Christmas.

He has one crazy Christmas wish, and that is to receive 1,000,000 Christmas cards in the mail! So if you would like to, send one out to him and the cards can be sent to,

Max c/o Hailey Remish
417 Jones Street
Belle Vernon, PA 15012

Please blog about this, pass this along ect.
And remember to send a card! :)
I know I will!

via flickr

Edit:
Cards may also be sent to the hospital directly!

Ruby Memorial Hospital
Attn: WVU Children’s Hospital/Max
1 Medical Center Drive
Morgantown, WV 26506-8110

Edible Gingerbread Playhouse

2011-12-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

Seriously...I have seen a lot of over the top Christmas decorations...including on an episode of Two and a Half men last night, and the decor that is currently going on in front of/on top of the fireplace in the living room, and of course, in all those cheesy holiday movies!

But I have never seen anything so over the top as this!

Dylan's Candy made an edible Gingerbread playhouse! You can buy it for $15,000 dollars off of Neiman Marcus!

It's described as, expanding the tradition of the Gingerbread House, it's 381 pounds, 6.6 feet high and 5.25 feet wide! It has giant cookies, lollipops, gummies, mints, and you know it has a lollypop tree inside...just incase there wasn't enough candy on the outside!

What do you think of this playhouse?

What is the most over the top present [besides this] you've heard of!?

Lunch In Paris

2011-12-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

For the longest time when I went to the bookstore, I would look at this book [by Elizabeth Bard], but wasn't 100% sure about buying it because of the price [especially when it had just come out] in retrospect I may have been just being cheap but when Borders had their closing sale, you better believe that I snapped this book up!

It really is a love story!
First there is a chapter of the love story between Elizabeth and Gwendal and there there are about three recipes that coincide with that point in their lives.

The recipes are in sections that include: Recipes for Seduction, Recipes for Summer Fruit, Cooking Dinner with New Yorkers in Paris, Dinner Among Friends, Recipes for a French Picnic

The recipes and the chapters and steps of the relationship fit perfectly, and some of the recipes sound so delectable I can't wait to try them!

Uhm, when will it be summer again?!

I LOVED this book! Honestly, when it ended, I started reading it over again!
Can't wait to try out some of the recipes!
Besides, who wouldn't like to cook French food?
[although I am a bit of a Francophile]

What was the last book that you read?

I Have a Shoe Problem...

2011-12-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

Meet my new babies! They're absolutely wonderful! :)

I have a plan to wear these to my stepbrother Joseph's 40th birthday party...with black tights and a grey dress! :)

I think that they will be stylish, and YES they are so super cute! They'll go with jeans too! They were an impulse buy from Pac Sun and they're Black Poppy brand.

What were the last pair of shoes that you bought?

Wedding Wednesday Video

2011-12-07T13:53:00.001-08:00

I LOVE the ideas of these new kinds of wedding videos. It's not like the old ones from the 80s and 90s of the inside of the reception and people dancing all crazily...okay maybe the only Wedding Video's I've seen were basically on America's Funniest Home Videos, but still, this wedding video is GORGEOUS! They captured EVERYTHING in the big day and just made it lovely! :)

tyler+julie • wedding from Paperback Weddings on Vimeo.

Do you like watching Wedding Video's or not?

I think that they're a lovely way to look back on the day in movement, not just pictures. Plus the music along with this video is just lovely!

PS my favorite wedding video [so much emotion], what I would want my wedding/wedding video to be like, and another great wedding video!

What Is Your Favorite...

2011-12-07T07:48:00.001-08:00

I have lots of favorites!
Favorite Pajamas = Grey Flannel ones with Polar Bears.
New Favorite TV show = Body of Proof
Old Favorite TV show = Desperate Housewives [the last season is GREAT!]
Favorite Food = Good Old Spaghetti with vegetable mix ins!
Favorite City to get lost in = Paris

via Etsy AnnaDelores

Favorite Yoga Pose = Warrior II Pose, Up Dog, Downward Facing Dog, Tree Pose.

Favorite Nail Polish = Essie Eternal Optimist

Favorite Reality Show = Duh, Haven't you been reading?

ACTUALLY you have been reading, and I am eternally grateful for all of my blog readers, and now my 300 blog followers! :D

THANK YOU EVERYONE

for reading, and commenting and sharing ideas! :)

You all help make my day, and once I figure out what giveaway I want to do...I will be doing one just for all of you lovelies!

Favorite Childhood Movie

2011-12-06T08:49:00.001-08:00

I watched quite a few movies as a child, including Beauty and the Beast on days when I was sick in bed, A Bugs Life, Toy Story 1 & 2. I remember going to go see Lilo and Stich with my Dad one time, and I definitely remember going to go see Harry Potter for the first time.

But there is one movie that has remained one of my FAVORITES, and I will still watch parts of it now and then when it is on TV...

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The Parent Trap!

Yes, the version with Lindsey Lohan before, well she didn't grow up so well!

Who could resist the parents re-falling in love?!

[PS I ADORE the flashback to their wedding]

via these were the 90s

Besides of the funny romantic comedy between the Butler and the Nanny...
I can NOW totally appreciate Dennis Quaid and his gorgeousness! :)

via

What was your favorite Childhood movie?
Do you still watch it [or parts of it] today?
By the way, when I was younger, I would watch it so many times, that eventually my dad lost count how many times he'd seen it with me!
&
I still have the VHS tape of it :)

Blue Rooms

2011-12-05T12:10:00.001-08:00

I searched on Pinterest for Blue, and I found all of these lovely photographs of inside of houses, decorated with all shades of blue, and one photograph that is just plain lovely!

via House Beautiful

via Martha Stewart

via Pinterest

via Little Blue Deer

What would be your ultimate color to decorate with?
PS remember my Pretty Pink Post? Or my Sunny Yellow Post?
I guess I like rooms with a certain color scheme!

Two Birthday Celebrations!

2011-12-04T10:41:00.001-08:00

This past week, we celebrated two birthdays! My uncle Tom's and my nephew Noah's. Wednesday was Noah's so we had Macaroni and Cheese for dinner [he's a picky eater] and I think there was ice cream cake for dessert, but I didn't have any.

Noah and his friend Rachel...he was opening up his card.

Then, on December 1st, we celebrated my Uncle Tom's birthday, and unfortunately I lost my phone for a bit so I don't have a ton of pictures from it!

We had barbecued steaks, green beans, and baked potato [I ate mine with salsa]
My stepbrother Christopher has a GRAND time with the barbecue fire!

Men + Fire = REALLY BIG FIRE

What have you been celebrating lately?
We have lots of birthdays! One more coming up soon, then Christmas, New Years, more birthdays, and it doesn't end for awhile!

PS I will add a picture of the cake when my nephew wakes up and sends it to me from his phone! :)

Cardio Circuit & Christmas Decorations

2011-12-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

This morning I did a cardio circuit. It's easier to change into workout clothes in the morning, and just get it all done and over with! :)

It is based one this Circuit by Julie over at Peanut Butter Fingers, and she based it off of this workout by her friend Ben!

You do the activity [all using your own body weight] for 1 minute, and then take a 1 minute rest. Then at the end of the sequence, you take a 3 minute break and start over!

It took me about 50 minutes to complete, and then I did about 5 minutes of stretching!
[I only did 30 seconds of mountain climbers, and then did 30 seconds of pushups because mountain climbers WAY difficult on our carpet!]

Then my stepmom Ann and I got busy getting out all the Christmas decorations!

Uhm, yes this is the damage, we are still putting stuff away, but when it's all done I will take tons of pictures and show you around the extremely well decorated house! :)

PS Khol's is having really GREAT deals! I picked up this top yesterday in Purple Opulence and Teaberry!

PS This article is written by a man about how he feels about the Victoria Secret Angels and what they do to women.

I LOVE this line out of it:

"Ladies, you may ask, “So, Ryan, what if being myself isn’t good enough for him?” Guess what? He’s not worth a second of your time."

via

via

Did you watch the fashion show? What did you think? Who did you think looked the best?
I taped it and watched most of it later...I think Adriana looked the best!
Oh and I'm jealous of Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere, for getting a Backstage Pass to the show!

Have you started decorating for Christmas?
Obviously we have...but only a little [sarcasm]

What was the last workout that you did?

The Great Gatsby

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

My nephew, Noah, has to read The Great Gatsby in school, and it brings me back to the 3 times I've read it! I seriously adore the book. I read it in 8th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade!

I really love the story, and the intermix of all the characters, and how instantly you dislike Tom talking about his big house, and you have empathy for Gatsby, who is still pining after the love of his life for so many years. How you wonder what it is about Daisy that's off, how Nick is the one to get mixed in the middle...how does he even go on with his life afterwords!? I told my nephew Noah, that The Great Gatsby is about the disillusionment of the American dream...but really it's about so much more.

So, here are some of my favorite quotes...the one I underlined in my book, of course! :)

"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had"

"The fact that he [Tom] "had some woman in New York" was really less surprising than that he had been depressed by a book. [best quote ever! It's a quite clever insult]

"It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five time in life...It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.

A wafer of a moon was shining over Gatsby's house, making the night fine as before, and surviving the laughter and the sound of his still glowing garden. A sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows and the great doors, endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the porch, his had up in a formal gesture of farewell.

...the luminosity of his pink suit under the moon

The afternoon had made them tranquil for awhile, as if to give them a deep memory for the long parting the next day promised. They had never been closer in their month of love, nor communicated more profoundly with another, than when she brushed silent lips against his boat's shoulder or when he touched the end of her fingers, gently, as though she was asleep.

[the last paragraphs and lines]

Have any of you read The Great Gatsby?
What did you think?
What is your favorite "classic" novel?
I love them all [almost] I am really into American Literature from Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Harper Lee [To Kill a Mockingbird], J.D. Salinger, Silvia Plath, and the list goes on and on! :)
I also like random books like Pride and Prejudice [although I can't get through any other Jane Austen novels]

Giuliana And Bill

2011-12-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

Seriously...beyond my favorite show!
I've been watching seasons [after buying them off of iTunes] and loving her job [she is such a HARD worker] and how her and Bill get along so well!

I admit I was a little devastated and felt so sad when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, especially after how candidly Giuliana discusses her struggles with infertility, how they have a miscarriage, failed IVF and then she gets cancer...

I honestly think that she and Bill are a great couple, and their show is such a fun one to watch! One of the best reality show's that I've seen! :) [and the only one that I actually like]

via

What TV shows do you like watching?

The First Wedding Wednesday in a Long Time

2011-11-30T13:35:00.001-08:00

It's been, about forever since I blogged about a Wedding Wednesday, and I think it's about time that I start up the tradition again! :)

This wedding of Sarah and Adam is a dream with pastels, and soft pink, and lots of fresh flowers! The wedding invitations were handmade and drawn by their friend and it's just super lovely!

via once wed and photography by Ashley Garmon

What did you think of this wedding?

Would you rather use pastels or bold bright colors [red] or neutrals [brown, tan, white, cream] in a wedding?

Thanksgiving 2011 Part 2

2011-11-29T12:19:00.001-08:00

We went to the tiny town of Julian northeast of San Diego and it was lovely!
Here are the instagram pictures. We went to celebrate my brother Christopher's wife, Jenny's 30th birthday! :)

A picture of them, from a wedding this summer.

It was really cool, because Julian was busy because it was their tree lighting festival. They had a craft fair, and all the stores were open and decorated and we walked around for hours and enjoyed a nice lunch as well.

The outside of the restaurant we ate at!
It had very good food, very southern food as well as 'Californian'
an example would be...I ate a lemon chicken sandwich with avocado, and my sister in law had Fried Chicken....

They also had a singer outside, because it was a 'Country Christmas' and he was very talented, and then they had a lady who has survived brain cancer read "The Night Before Christmas" and talked about Christmas for Animals.

We went to this awesome store that was an interior decorating place, and I wanted to buy their book on French decorating! :)

The place was magnificently decorated!

Finally, we went to the store to get candy [milk chocolate covered Almond Bark for me] and drink some Slaughter Daughter Water...

I also brought some cute kitchen towels with honeybees all over them! :)
[which I will show you later!]

What did you do for Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving weekend?

Chartreuse and Black

2011-11-29T08:49:00.001-08:00

How lovely is this outfit!? I love the bright color, the sunglasses, and everything!

via

Yes, this post does mean, the 2nd part of my Thanksgiving weekend will be blogged about later this afternoon! I have to figure out how to get all the pictures off of instagram....

If you could wear any bright bright color...what would it be?
I think it would be maybe that bright hot green, or hot pink or day-glo orange! :)

Thanksgiving 2011 Part 1

2011-11-28T16:56:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving was a good one! Although I couldn't spend it with all the family I wanted to...we did have 20 people over at our house, and had to rent two extra tables and some chairs to fit them all! :)
Here are the highlights.

The lovely morning light on the harvest decorations!

The turkey that was roasting in the oven...since about 5:45 in the morning.

Hanging out in the living room. It seemed like my nieces and nephew were all on different laptops.

All the appetizers that we had.

Me making the mashed potatoes [what I was in charge of] I thought they were a bit milky, but everyone else seemed to like them...

Almost everyone at the tables...we had to run out and buy some more tablecloths because we didn't have enough! It is a bit blurry...but getting 20 people to sit still is difficult!

Everyone at the table...[this picture was taken by my niece Lilee so that explains the up close glass that that someone is holding!]

These are the pumpkins I decorated! Modge Podge + 88 cent pumpkins + glitter + stick on jewels!

I did have help from my niece Lilee!

My stepmom gave my stepbrother Joseph and his wife Erin their Christmas Present early! A weekend in Big Bear CA!

We did some Black Friday shopping [starting at 10 at Walmart and midnight at Target] where I didn't have time to get gifts for others [selfish I know] but I got catnip for my cats, seasons 5 and 6 of Sex and the City, and teeth whitening strips!

Saturday we went up to Julian CA. It's a small town, but it's super fun to walk around and it was a big celebration weekend, because they were having a tree-lighting ceremony, and my stepbrother Chris's wife was having her 30th birthday!

But we will have to wait until tomorrow because this post is getting SO long!

What did you do for Thanksgiving? Go anywhere fun? Black Friday shopping?

My Thanksgiving Gift...

2011-11-28T08:28:00.001-08:00

To myself...

I will be back later with a full [huge] recap of Thanksgiving and the weekend!

ALSO

Have any of you read The History of Love by Nicole Krauss?
I *just* finished it last night, and am thinking a blog book discussion would be nice!
Yes or No?

Relaxing Sunday

2011-11-27T12:39:00.001-08:00

via Classy-in-the-city

It's the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and I am sure that everyone has had their fill of food, and family, and this Sunday, seems like the most perfect day to relax...On my list, is cleaning [not really relaxing but I would LOVE to vacuum my room], taking a shower, and either going out and getting a manicure and pedicure, or doing it myself! And maybe reading this book [or 2] that I started awhile back!

Can't wait to tell you all about my weekend and Thanksgiving! :)

What are your plans for this Sunday?
I hope that they involve some sort of relaxing!

PS what is your favorite way to relax?

PPS Isn't that a lovely photograph!?

The Adventures of Last Weekend

2011-11-25T07:11:00.000-08:00

My stepbrother Chris and his daughter Lilee...he was wearing her pink hat!

Yes, I presume we were in the 'wild'

There was a petting zoo, and I was pretty liberal with how much I fed them!

[apples]

[assorted apple butter, jams ect.]

[an awesome blanket I ADORE]

[Some weird gun fighting show that we saw]

[cute red barn and watermill]

[My stepmom Ann and niece Lilee]

[a swan?]

a male peacock. He was showing off for his lady friend...she wasn't interested from what I could tell! Better luck next time!

My nephew's Burger...he only likes a little ketchup

My stepmom, niece, stepbrother and stepsister in law!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

2011-11-24T08:29:00.001-08:00

via

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
This year I am thankful for...
Family,
Friends,
and Life in general.
♥
Especially all of YOU BLOG READERS!
You're all so lovely, and make my dreams of writing come true everyday.

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

-Ralph Waldo Emersona

The Most Perfect Way To Tie a Scarf

2011-11-23T07:30:00.001-08:00

via

Doesn't this look like a great way to tie a scarf?! I must say...mine never look this good!

PS Have you seen Target's Black Friday Ad?

Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

2011-11-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Lemon water is great. Especially when people don't like to drink water, it's a great way to spice it up and add some flavor. But besides being a great color and a having a fabulous taste and versatility [drinks, baked goods, pasta, meat]

via ffffound

After a lot of reading though, I have found that drinking lemon water [try drinking the lemon water warm, and avoid ice cold or boiling hot. ] has lots of benefits and I would LOVE to share them with you!

According to livestrong.com, Lemon Water can...

1. cleanse your system early in the morning.

2. it can aid digestion and relieve indigestion like heartburn, bloating ect.

3. It can help detoxify your liver, and keep it working well.

According to Marcus Samuelson an award winning chef and food activist, Lemon water is great for

1. Skin Care. It can rejuvenate skin from the inside out, and can help with burns.

2. It can help with weight loss, morning sickness, migraines, cold and flu prevention, and acts as a body purifier overall!

Do you drink lemon water?
What is your favorite healthy living advice?

Deep Purple Bouquet

2011-11-22T08:59:00.001-08:00

via Martha Stewart

How pretty is that bouquet?

It's very unique with those little acorns!

I also have a feeling that the aubergine dahlias could be used to decorate a Thanksgiving table...

What is your favorite kind of flower?

A Snowy Proposal

2011-11-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

I've been finding lately that some guys are catching on and having a photographer [friend or professional] hidden to capture the moments where they are proposing to keep forever...

This proposal is so so so lovely! :) Snow + Twinkle Lights... = Amazing

PS it took place at a skating rink outdoors.

This is the red carpet that the photographer set out for the couple when they got the 5 minute text that they were coming...at the end of it, you can see a ring box!

All Via Chris Emeott Photography

What did you think of this proposal?
How were all of your weekends?!

Just For Fun

2011-11-20T21:41:00.001-08:00

Hm. I had some time to kill while waiting in the mall this weekend...SO I tried on a ring that bears a striking resemblance to this lady's

What was the last silliest thing that you've done?
How was your weekend? What did you do?

Lauren Bush Lauren's Wedding Dress

2011-11-20T07:41:00.001-08:00

How gorgeous was Lauren Bush Lauren's wedding dress and wedding pictures!? It was designed by her now father in law, Ralph Lauren. It's elegant, but not ordinary, it's definitely a VERY unique dress! [an according to an article on People Magazine it took 3000 hours to create!]

via Vogue

What do you think of this dress?
The one word that comes to mind is...magnificent!

Awesome iPhone Cases

2011-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Who else is tired of seeing the same iPhone cases on everyones phones? I have a purple Belkin one [it's pretty, but boring, BUT it saves phones! I drop it all the time and it's still fine, I had the same case on my blackberry and it survived being on the roof of a car, driving through surface streets and being tossed off on the freeway SERIOUSLY]

Anyway...these cases seem super fun, awesome, and unique! And maybe for less accident prone people...

via Society Six
It's called a Mustache Mania iPhone Case!

via Society Six
And I would DIE for this Up inspired iPhone Case!

via Society Six
This Love one is so adorable!
It would also be a great gift or a stocking stuffer!

via Society Six
And finally, a super dramatic one!
The black and white iPhone cases are pretty cool, pretty dark and very dramatic!

Which one would you choose if you had an iPhone?
Would you give one of these as a gift for Christmas or a Birthday?

Thanksgiving Table Decorating Ideas

2011-11-16T15:58:00.001-08:00

This year, I am hoping to be a bit of a contributor to the decorating of the Thanksgiving table! I'm not sure exactly what to do, but I know nothing breakable and something that is easy to move around so there is room for food!

This way of securing all the silverware is just lovely and simple! It would look great in any fall color, especially a deep plum color.

via

via Martha Stewart
This idea of do it your own leaf printed linens is unique, and a nice way to tie in nature!

via Country Living
Stamping napkins brings the paper napkins [which make huge gatherings easier] classy, and unique.

via Martha Stewart
And finally, these giant hurricane glasses, just simply wrapped with tissue paper! They create such a nice glow! And can be placed on a mantel or shelf anywhere in the house! Or all over!

Although, I do find with a lot of Martha Stewart's ideas, "Who would take the time to do that?" one such example is drawing little Xs on a votive with marker paint in a design, to look like cross stitching...

How do you like to decorate for Thanksgiving?
Are there any ideas that you would try that I have shown?

Christmas Cupcakes

2011-11-16T10:25:00.001-08:00

How cute are thse cupcakes!? I would love to make these for the holiday, and just have them on display in the house or something...Yes, there are some things in life that are two cute to eat! :) Examples include, Chocolate Santas, Chocoalte Easter Bunnies and of course...these cupcakes!

Via Love To Cake

Funny Wedding Invite

2011-11-14T14:28:00.001-08:00

via minted

You In or What?!
I love this card because it's so straight forward and to the point instead of inviting you to the wedding of [insert full name here] in the year of two thousand and eleven or what-have-you.

What was your wedding invite like?
Or
If your not married...what do you want your wedding invite to be like?

Tiffany Tree

2011-11-14T07:59:00.001-08:00

Tiffany & Co. always does it up big. Perfect engagement rings with lots of details, making them unique. Their diamonds are world renown, and every girl in the world knows that that little blue box means something really big!

They even put up a Christmas Tree in London, and have a watercolor painted of it right by their own ice skating rink!

via instagram

Isn't it gorgeous!? The tree at the watercolor itself!

How was your weekend?
What did you do?
What is the most over the top Christmas display you've seen?

OPI Excuse Moi

2011-11-12T00:31:00.000-08:00

I saw this nail polish on Pinterest and of course, I had to follow the link!
I think this would be the most perfect nail polish for a holiday party! [and it's actually from the Muppet Collection BTW which is also the Holiday Collection 2011]

via Swatch and Learn

Isn't that pink the most perfect color for a holiday party? It has glitter but isn't all gold so with a little black dress, the nails would REALLY stand out! :)

What nail polish are you wearing now?
Are you planning on wearing any to a holiday party?!

Happy Veterans Day 2011!

2011-11-11T17:39:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank my Grandfather Walker for serving in this country for 3 wars [WWII, Korea, and Vietnam] and all of those who are out there putting their lives on the line every day, and a thank you for those who have put their lives on the line in years past.

[my grandfather]

Google's Veteran's Day Artwork

PS Last Year my Veteran's Day with my Dad

Effortless Winter Outfit

2011-11-11T12:19:00.001-08:00

This outfit is so perfect for winter, and has a lovely thrown together look! I love the dog in the pictures and the fact that her scarf is actually from the mens section of Forever 21! Awesome! :)

via Keiko Lynn

What's your favorite winter look?
Don't you just want to go steal a mans scarf from him now?!
PS I LOVE her makeup look as well!
I want to learn how to do that!

Cinque Terre, Italy

2011-11-10T14:24:00.001-08:00

Today, it is grey and cold and I know a storm is coming in Southern California [it did just snow here on Sunday night!] in the midst of this dreary afternoon...I would love to jump on a plane and head over to Europe! This photograph has just told me...that place in Europe should be Italy!

via

Where would you travel to if you could?
I would love to travel everywhere in the world! Seriously. Africa, see more of Europe, Brazil, Argentina, New York, see the Grand Canyon, Alaska, Hawaii...every little place in the world that I could! :)

Worrying...

2011-11-10T09:05:00.001-08:00

Does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength

via Design With Life

(and it's a free printable!)

Isn't this a perfect quote about worrying?! Believe me I worry all the time, I am worrying right now in fact, but I kind of want to grab a sharpie marker and write this on my hand!

What quotes of strength help you when you're worrying/stressing?

Another quote I love is "This too shall pass"

Caramel & Cream Wedding Inspiration

2011-11-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

I love this wedding inspiration.

It is so simple, and chic, and kind of rustic!

Perfect for an Autumn wedding...

But if you add some gold or silver accents, then you can class it right up and make it super fancy, or just throw on some cowboy boots and such like that and make it a rustic wedding!

The color of those pears is pretty spectacular as well! And that 2nd picture of the fallen leaves...

via Snippet and Ink

What is [was] your ideal wedding colors?
I like everything really, but I really like the idea of dark purple!

Snowy Birch Trees

2011-11-07T19:35:00.000-08:00

Spending an afternoon in boots, all bundled up warm [except for the nose and cheeks] and a scarf while walking through here sounds like a lovely afternoon...especially if one weren't alone!

via

Do you like winter?
Do you like the snow?
I love the snow! It snowed here last night! I think that the snow makes the cold worth while! It's so pretty and it just seems magical!

A Weekend in Instagram

2011-11-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

I drank the BEST VITAMIN WATER EVER

But a fly got in my hot lemon water! :(

Then I got a Peppermint Mocha Frappachino [light]

Killed some time at A&W

Found a cat in the hospital parking lot while waiting for my stepmom Ann and stepsister Dawn visited Ann's sister in law in the hospital. My nephew Noah named her Drools because she drooled all over the place when she was super happy!

Yesterday we went to Oak Glen and saw a bit of snow and walked around for a couple of hours looking at all sorts of things!

Like this giant Apple Pie!

Then there was a deer there as well! I whistled and it came to me!

My nephew is jealous of my skills with animals.

And then it snowed and sleeted and hailed last night!

How was your weekend?

What did you end up doing?

Joey's Apple!

2011-11-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a little laugh for you this morning! :)

via

What are you all up to this Sunday?
It's grey and rainy here, and we [nephew, stepmom, stepsister] are just hanging around before showering and hopefully we will go grocery shopping later today! :)

Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2011-11-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah yeah yeahs - Maps from carlosbarco on Vimeo.

I love this song! It's my newest obsession! :)
I heard it on the radio yesterday and I used Shazam to figure out what song it was, and now I've been listening to it non stop on this rainy afternoon.

PS Maps stands for My Angus Please Stay and the tears in the video are real, Karen O was going to go on tour and the boyfriend [who she wrote the song for] was late to the set, and she thought he wasn't going to show up and she was very upset about this!

What song is your latest obsession?

OPI California Raspberry

2011-11-04T10:30:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got a manicure and pedicure! Let me tell you it was needed! :) Instead of removing the polish on my toes the last time I did them...I just painted over with a new color! Anyway, now they're this amazing color, and are bright and cheerful, even though it's mean and grey and rainy outside!

Buy It Here!

Then, today on Pinterest [where else!?] I saw this amazing dress, that totally matches the nail polish!

via

Isn't it perfect!?

What nail polish color have you been loving the most lately?!

Cat Verses Human

2011-11-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

So awhile ago, I thought I was insane the way I felt about my cats! They're kind of my friends [is that sad?] and I think they're funny and silly sometimes...then I found Cat Vs Human and realized I am not alone! Here are some of my favorite cartoons! :)

Haha just in time for the holidays! :)

Sometimes you do just get the feeling to cuddle your cat!
Most of the time...they don't want to cuddle back though!

This is what my kitty TC and I do!
Callie...not so much!

all via Cat Verses Human

Are you a cat person or a dog person or just an animal person in general?

Halloween Weekend Fun

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was full of Halloween and Birthday fun! First on Saturday we went to my nieces birthday party in Orange County. Maddie and Sky turn 9 today!

My stepsister in law Erin said that making the spiderwebs on the cupcakes is easy! Just draw the circles and drag through them with a toothpick!

There was even dry ice in the punch!

They played this game where you had to dress someone as a Mummy with toilet paper.

And then...they got lots of presents!

Sunday...
Was my Step Brother Chris' birthday so we hung out there!

This is him carving a Pumpkin with his daughter Lilee [my niece]

This is the finished product! It's a cat!

And here is Christopher's cake!

On Halloween, we actually helped Chris and his wife Jenny move into their new house a bit more, and helped get Lilee ready for Halloween! She loves animals, but was told to step out of her box and be scary this year...so she chose a black widow costume! I helped with her hair!

How was your weekend?
What did you end up doing?

Her November Guest

2011-11-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this poem with you all last November 1st, but I completely forgot! Thankfully I woke up this morning remembering the date and to share this with you! :)

My November Guest - Robert Frost

My sorrow, when she's here with me,

Thinks these dark days of Autumn rain

are beautiful as days can be;

she loves the bare, the withered tree;

she walks the sodden pasture lane

Her Pleasure will not let me stay.

She talks and I am fain to list:

She's glad the birds are gone away

She's glad her simple worsted grey

Is silver now with clinging mist

The desolate, deserted trees,

The faded earth, the heavy sky,

The beauties she so truly sees,

She thinks I have no eye for these,

And vexes me for reason why

Not yesterday I learned to know

The love of bare November days

Before the coming of the snow,

But it were vain to tell her so,

And they are better for her praise.

via

PS Since it is November 1st, it's officially the Holiday Season!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:29:00.000-07:00

Many Many moons ago on this day I was dressed up as many things, including a fairy, Elmo and a Native American Princess and a Mouse! [I was two and my parents dressed me up as a mouse because I loved cheese so much!]

Mouse...with Barney Shoes! [SUCH a 90s kid]
PS this picture is also a Polaroid picture!

Me as a Native American Princess and some other kid. I have 100% NO idea who he is!

What are your plans for Halloween?
Are you dressing up yourself or passing out candy to trick or treaters?
I am helping my stepbrother and his family move and unpack!

Stripes and Roses

2011-10-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

via Sunday Crossbow

How fabulous is this outfit!? It seems like a perfect weekend outfit for maybe stopping by Farmers' Market and just hanging out and about, or maybe even a picnic in the park!

What are all of you up to this weekend?
I am going to my nieces' birthday party later today! :)

Snapping Yourself Out of a Bad Mood

2011-10-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

Today, I just kept getting increasingly frustrated...it started yesterday with those cinnamon rolls and how the first batch of dough wasn't right. If I had copied the recipe right, then that wouldn't happen, and I was so mad at myself for being so silly, because if I had done things right in the first place, then I wouldn't have had to waste time and money to make another batch.

This also carried on into today, with problems with my cat and my step-mom's cat. They don't exactly get along and by putting my cat on her bed, it started problems with my cat marking...that plus he brings in mice that die in our house [the last two we have found because of their smell]...

He may look innocent but he isn't!

This morning I went out and bought him a collar with a bell [to warn the mice!] but my stepmom said it wasn't a good idea because of coyotes...once again I did something wrong.

And finally, I neglected to change the house address to the place we moved to...so some money is now being sent to our old address, instead of the new one! Thankfully at our Post Office Box, they are sending all our mail that goes there to where we live now for a year.

All of these things, just got me so frustrated, so irritated [I got irritated with how my jeans fit, and how my sweater felt on my arms EVERYTHING] plus battling it at Walmart [I need a sleep system so I can drown out night noises and actually sleep] I was in a bad mood. My stepmom sadly got some of my attitude thrown her way, but I took a break to my room and started researching...How to snap yourself out of a bad mood.

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First off, I made a list of reasons why I was angry/irritated/upset, then I a made another list of why I didn't need to be upset. It included the sun coming out and blue skies, kitty cuddles, and that Christmas is coming soon, and I had new painted nails plus medicine to take my headache away.

Then, I found this quote. "You = Master of Your Mood Universe" I realized I didn't have to be so upset and irritated, that I could try to think positively and get through whatever I was feeling.

Then I did a yoga video, my favorite one and I was told to breathe in and out "Peace, Love and Joy" and I kept thinking of joy the most, like breathing in joy and breathing out joy and spreading it all around! I picture joy like sparkly wind, like during Christmas season.

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I did some squats, some more stretching and some pushups [endorphins] drank some water and then wrote out a letter of apology so I can say it without mincing my words.

I feel 1000% better.

Although...I did find this and it made me feel bad, and it's definitely something to remember!

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What do you do to snap yourself out of a bad mood?

Oh and PS chocolate isn't a bad idea when someone is in a bad mood either! :)

Oh and this article is GOLD

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

2011-10-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today I made homemade cinnamon rolls!

I've been making them for years and years, [they're a family recipe that goes back to one of my great grandmothers] but the first batch of dough didn't turn out and that got me super frustrated, but I'm glad I persevered because now we have these babies! :)

And, here are some more pictures from today!

The dough done and risen

All rolled out with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Starting to roll it all back up!

All rolled.

Put into a U-Shape, cut in half, and make 2 baby u shapes and cut those in half, and then use those to cut into 3 rolls each

All ready to bake!

Rising in the Oven!

And, of course, the final product...

Before you flip them over to discover all the ooey-gooey deliciousness underneath!

A little blurry, but they're pretty darn good! :)

What was the last thing that you baked?

When I Heard The Learn'd Astronomer

2011-10-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have always loved the stars...or thought I did so before I took Astronomy in college! It turns out there's way more to stars than just looking at them, and trying to find constellations in the night sky...but I still love this by Walt Whitman, because it connects the learning of the stars and experiencing the learning through going outside and looking at nature, instead of hearing it in a classroom.

When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer

When I heard the learn'd astronomer,

When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me,

When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide and

measure them,

When I heard the astronomer where he lectured with much

applause in the lecture-room,

How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,

Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself,

In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,

Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

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What is one thing this week you want to experience?
I am thinking, a nice walk in nature would be a good thing to experience, especially because I am getting over my sickness!

Castaway

2011-10-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

Right now, spending a Sunday afternoon on a castaway beach somewhere reading in a hammock/ giant bed with fluffy white bedding sounds amazing! Sadly I cannot do this, but looking at a Wedding Inspiration board called 'Castaway' is calming and amazing! :)

via Snippet and Ink

Don't you just want to go there right now?!

What are your Sunday Afternoon plans?

Santa Baby

2011-10-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is a Santa Baby literally! This little one is so cute! It doesn't even help my baby fever at all! [although thankfully it has been on that back burner!]

Do any of you have baby fever?

Via Etsy [you can buy that santa hat for a cute little one!]

Have you been dreaming of Christmas?
...Or babies?! ♥

People Of The Fall

2011-10-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

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I think Matthew Gray Gubler made this BUT Pinterest has deleted the sources of some pins...
but I think his artwork is quirky and genius and funny!

What are you all up to today?
Any exciting plans for the weekend?

Anna Karenina

2011-10-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well...it took a year but I finally finished this book! [Don't worry I have also read A Mango Shaped Space, The Chocolate Lovers Club, Water for Elephants [read in an entire afternoon], Catcher in The Rye, Heaven is For Real, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

[yes that is a robot sticker on my book...I thought it was cute!]

This Russian novel by Leo Tolstoy, switches between 3 different families who are all intertwined, and are affected by the choices of Anna Karenina herself. The novel actually starts off with a pretty famous quote...Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Not to give anything away, but this is foreshadowing, [kind of obvious, who wants to read a 754 page book about a happy family?] It is also divided up into eight parts.

Part one starts off with Prince Stepan Arkadyevitch Oblonsky, his wife Dolly [Darya Alexandrovna], their family and their troubles. Oblonsky [as he is known throughout most of the novel] has his sister Anna Arkadyevna Karenina visit to help smooth things over in his marriage. Part 1 is essentially an introduction to most of the characters and the happenings of their lives.

The rest of the parts are the rest of the story! It is based around Anna Karenina's decision to cheat on her husband Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin with Vronksy [one of the most important government officials] and her choice to leave him after getting pregnant. It shows how it effects Oblonsky and Dolly's lives, and the life of Dolly's sister Kitty [Ekaterina Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya], family friend Konstantin Dmitrich Levin [just Levin], her husband and her son, and how their social lives, home lives, and relationships are impacted. AKA the aftermath of the affair.

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My Favorite Character:

My favorite character is Levin! His name according to a baby naming dictionary, means Heart or Dear Friend. It fits his character perfectly. He is described as blushing "not as grown men blush, slightly, without being themselves aware of it, but as boys blush, feeling that they are ridiculous through their shyness" Levin is an idealist hoping for marriage and true love and raising a family, he follows his heart and his shyness is his vulnerability that is NOT a detrimental character flaw. He is a smart, intellectual, practical man, kind of a hopeless romantic, and his relationship is a long courtship with Kitty, where after a lot of trials and tribulations their love works out.

My Favorite Quotes:

...with the music under her arm and vanished into the twilight of the summer night, bearing away with her her secret of what was important and what gave her the calm and dignity so much to be envied.
This quote reminds me of something F. Scott Fitzgerald could have written.

In spite of death, he felt the need of life and love. He felt that love saved him from despair, and that this love, under the menace of despair, had become stronger and purer. The one mystery of death, still unsolved, had scarcely passed before his eyes, when another mystery had arisen, as insoluble, urging him to love and to life.
Spoilers! But this is Lenin's thoughts after his brother dies, but his wife Kitty is found to be pregnant.

He's just one of those people of whom they say they're not meant for this world.
This quote is sad, but quite true of some people.

Loving your work, you will find your reward in it
Wise to remember.

but I have always loved you, and if one loves any one, one loves the whole person, just as they are and not as one would like them to be. . . .
Sweet.

All seemed to have left their cares and anxieties in the porter's room with their hats.
I just love this quote.

...but he knew his own soul, it was precious to him, he guarded it as the eyelid guards the eye, and without the key of love he let no one into his soul.

Have you ever read this book?
What did you think of it?
PS A movie is being made with Matthew MacFayden [the cutie from Pride and Prejudice] [as Oblonsky] and Kira Knightly [as Anna Karenina]

They Draw And Cook

2011-10-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago, I found this genius website where people can send in their recipes, but they also draw fabulous descriptions to go along with them! Here are a few of my favorites! I found them by looking up some of my favorite ingredients...garlic, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms...ect.

Lasagna Rainbow by Silvia Sponza

Baked Parmesan Tomato by Maida Hambo
Mmmmmm cheese and tomatoes! :)

Quiche Lorraine by Gaetan Heuzè

Swampy Pasta by Jolanta Gil
Smelly Cheese, Pasta and Spinach?! Sign Me Up!!

The Relationship Saver Spinach Lasagne by Helen Hill
I LOVE this! The first step is "Say You're Sorry" and it says you need "Strength of Mind" and to serve it hot with a "potent wine and bounty of hope!"

Finally...my favorite! It's never too soon to think about Christmas now is it!? :D
Besides, it's super cute!

Rudolph's Red-Nosed Pasta by Kristin Jackson

Go find more recipes at They Draw and Cook

What recipe would you draw and cook?
PS stay tuned for a few book reviews later this week! I've been reading!

Wedding Plaid

2011-10-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

I found this picture on Pinterest, [thanks Emily!] and I couldn't help but share it!

Isn't it a gorgeous look?

Perfect for an autumn and rustic wedding!

And a great way to show some Scottish heritage if you've got it,
and it was originally intended for a southern belle look!

Do you like plaid?

How about that wedding dress?!

via here [makeup and hair stylist] and here [actual photographer]

Stereo Hearts

2011-10-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have been OBSESSED with this song since this weekend [long car rides with lots of radio music]! It's so super fantastic. I think it's a great metaphor [between the heart being a stereo/lyrics/a record] and the lyrics and the chorus are pretty darn catchy as well! :)

Gym Class Heroes "Stereo Hearts" (ft Adam Levine) from Hiro Murai on Vimeo.

What is your latest song obsession?

We'd Know Each Other a Long Time...

2011-10-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

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I love this quote! It seems pretty darn perfect!
It seems to describe both friendships and great loves!

what is your favorite quote?

A Teddy Bears Job

2011-10-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

My friend shared this on Facebook, so I don't know where she got it from!
I think it is so super perfect and sweet!
Look at that little Teddy Bear with the sword?!

What childhood toy protected you?

Her name is lovey baby! Ha she's a Cabbage Patch Doll because I am a 90s kid! :D I think I've had her since I was 2 or something like that! Obviously she is still on my bed, but that's okay! I had a former teacher sleep with her childhood blanket, and my stepmom sleeps with pillows from when she was little!

Do you have any toys/dolls from your childhood?

October Weekends

2011-10-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

The last two weekends have been pretty busy! Last weekend, I went to a wedding with my family, and this weekend I babysat [petsat] my stepbrother Joseph and his wife Erin's dog Lucky [he's high anxiety and needs someone to hang with and play with]! I went to my nieces soccer game, and went to a pumpkin patch as well!

I also caught up on Grey's Anatomy! Oh my goodness! It's such a good season! I LOVED the man episode! :D It was pretty hot watching all the guys building the deck and having Dr. Hunt punch out that giant guy...A-mazing!

Prayer

First Kiss

Cafe Lights and some Flowers at the reception. It was a lovely wedding that was close and intimate full of friends and family.

Soccer Game!

My nieces team is called 'The Moldy Girls' and their color is basically sea foam green [not a color of mold]! Anyway, they won the game! I think it was 3-2, it was pretty close!

Next, we went to Irvine Regional Park I believe. They had a pumpkin patch!

Pumpkins! :D

Can you see the golden Autumn light?!

Ha I love how the headstone says "Will B Bach" hahaha puns :)

I just thought this was super cute!

Maddie [my niece] Cozy their cousin, and then Skylar my other niece.

Sunday is the day I caught up on Grey's Anatomy! It was fantastic! I know it sounds silly, but I think it's wayyyy too much effort to take the time to watch TV when the show originally comes on, so I watch them online later!

I also discovered that I LOVE Up all Night! It's so hilarious!

What did you do this weekend, and/or last weekend? Anything fun?

Lets Talk Anxiety

2011-10-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

Anxiety is something that has plagued me for a long time.
I'm not really sure when it started, I have always been uncomfortable meeting new people and being in a large group social setting.
When I was a kid I had some anxiety...when my parents didn't come home at exact the time they said they would, when I was home alone at the house and it was dark outside [I still turn on all the main lights in the house when I'm home alone and get freaked out.]

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Now days, I still worry when people don't come home when they're supposed to. I worry I'm too annoying. I worry I'm not giving people enough space. I worry I have said too much, I worry that since I switched my ring to a different finger that it will get stuck. I worry about others all of the time. I worry about other peoples anxiety, and I worry about my own anxiety. I worry about the future, of side effects, of new things. I worry a lot about my stepmom, Ann even though she says she will be fine. Last night I was so worried about leaving her to babysit my stepbrothers dog [the dog Lucky has anxiety too], that I was crying and worked myself up so much that I threw up in the street by my car before leaving.

I can feel my anxiety in my chest [which isn't good], I feel shaky, I have tons of nervous energy [hello bouncing while sitting] and I feel like I am not getting enough air in my lungs.

My Journey on Managing my Anxiety

I am going to go see a therapist because my anxiety is not getting better at all, it's getting worse and this worrying so much is happening every single day at least once a day if not more.

I have intense amazing lavender hand and body lotion from New Oak Ranch...they even have a cool story on how they got started!

I try to use this and smell it a lot when I am freaking out and worrying and obsessing.

It helps me take some deep breaths and focus, plus lavender is known to be calming and soothing.

I have also found out...that writing down my anxieties and sharing them helps me collect my thoughts, and not say things I shouldn't and to just help me discuss things better instead of talking way too fast, not thinking about what I am saying and crying.

I don't know what's going to happen in social situations...

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Maybe they'll get better, maybe they won't I am not to worried about this because I am a shy person [at first] but I am better once I get to know and am comfortable around people...but there are times I get "uptight" and I feel that's okay too, as long as it's not too often.

Why am I telling you this?

Mostly because I think I do need to write about it, but also because I want to share my struggle because it really sucks a lot and that's okay. Besides if there is anyone out there who has suggestions, or decides to get help for their issues then wouldn't that be great?

Do you have anxiety? Do you know someone who does?

If you do, what do you do to calm yourself down?

Any suggestions for me to calm myself down?

What are your plans for the weekend?

I will be watching a lot of comedy, going on walks with Lucky and trying to relax, not worry and have anxiety and to stop feeling bad for leaving, and remembering that my nephew is with Ann and that it's okay for me to be gone a few days and that is it nothing for me to cry over.

Rainy Nights When I was A Child

2011-10-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Since it is pouring rain here in Southern CA, and I am kind of missing my dad, I will tell you all about the rainy nights when I was a kid...

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First off...rainy nights almost always meant spaghetti nights! Sometimes they were Chinese food nights, but not that often.

Early in the afternoon my mom would start browning the meat [my dad was a meat and potatoes kind of guy, my mom was a meat and bread kind of gal] and then added the sauce, mixing in spices and letting it simmer and smell delicious all afternoon. A lot of the time she would also sing this song called I Love The Rainy Nights

My dad would get home around 3:00-3:30 I think, he would get out of his uniform, we would feed the dogs, and one or both of them started working on the garlic bread.

It is delish! I wish I had a picture of it for you, but it has been rarely made these past few years. But it is sourdough bread, with REAL garlic cloves [not from a jar!] all smashed through a garlic press and of course, butter was involved. You'd mix the garlic and butter together, put it on the bread [after you sliced it down the length in the middle, and it would cook in the oven for about 20 minutes in wrapped aluminum foil, and 10 minutes with the top of the foil open.

The house always smelled wonderful on rainy nights, and the spaghetti just made the storm outside seem better. We always ate together as a family at the dining room table, and spaghetti on rainy nights is just one thing I can't forget and am pretty darn nostalgic for.

Hopefully tomorrow night, maybe I can make some spaghetti and garlic bread! :)

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What were some traditions when you were growing up?

What do you do on rainy nights now?

Mushaboom

2011-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

This song is so catchy, it's one of my favorites!
Love some of the lines like
"Make a home from rented house"

I dare you not to be humming this catchy tune or even singing it later this afternoon! :)

How have you all been?
Tell me about something exciting that's happened to you recently!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2011-10-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

So I finally read the book!
Let me say...it is CRAZY.
It is about a kid named Charlie with a mental disorder [Autism, Aspergers, something along that line]
And all the experiences he goes though...starting with his friends suicide, family problems, friend problems, drug use and sexual experiences.

It reminds me of To Kill A Mockingbird, where very mature themes are discussed through an innocent eye.

My favorite quote still remains...

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It's such a true quote and I think it applies to everyones lives.

Here are other quotes I love, that are amazing and some are terribly sad...

I just need to know that someone out there listens and understands and doesn't try to sleep with people even if they could have. I need to know these people exist.

[When talking about suicide of a friend] I don't understand why he did it. As much as I feel sad, I think that not knowing is that really bothers me.

And I could see this boy at home doing homework and thinking about my sister naked. And I could see them holding hands at football games that they do not watch. And I could see this boy throwing up in the bushes at a party house. And I could see my sister putting up with it.
And I felt bad for both of them.

[About his mom] Sometimes my Dad calls her beautiful, but she cannot hear him.

[about a movie style college experience] ...More like the movie where they guy meets a smart girl who wears a lot of swearers and drinks cocoa . They talk about books and issues and kiss in the rain.

I don't know how much longer I can keep going without a friend. I used to be able to do ti very easily, but that was before I knew what having a friend was like. It's much easier not to know things sometimes. And to have french fries with your mom be enough.

Have you ever read this book?
What did you think?!

Oh and here's a peek at the movie being made right now with Emma Watson!

Sometimes We All Need a Laugh

2011-09-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been blogging lately, I just honestly don't know what to say to everyone anymore! [Sorry friends and family trying to get in touch with me...I've just been off the grid]

One thing I do know is that we all need a laugh sometimes! Modern Family is the MOST PERFECT show for that! :)

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Here are some more funnies...

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Hm. This one goes out to my Stepbrother Chris and his whole family!

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I just think this last one is funny! Who would ever buckle up a baby that way!

What makes you laugh?

Do you have a good joke?!

This picture is also cute and funny!

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Happy First Day Of Autumn 2011!

2011-09-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Fall is here! [I normally call it Autumn because that name is prettier and I think Fall does NOT do the season justice!]

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How is this fall? It's Autumn! It's gorgeous and lovely and so colorful!
PS Who now wants to go to Colorado where this picture was taken!?

Tyler Knott I believe has said it the best,
Autumn is coming. It may be the sneakiest season; it disguises itself with warm winds and late evening golden light. It wraps itself in colors that look like fire and the slowly fading sound of crickets at night. It comes without warning and without apology and before you know it, the air is cold and the leaves are falling and the Summer you thought you were enjoying is just a memory. Sly. So sly.

But how could you not love something so sly, so sneaky that brings wondrous gifts to us in forms of gorgeous colored leaves, crisp air, chilly nights and mornings, frost, crunchy leaves on the ground, piles of freshly raked leaves [by parents] for their kids to jump in?

Me Circa 1990-something, Central Coast of CA...
The camera date on the picture says 12/05/1990-something...as in December!
I guess Autumn came late that year!
[or my Dad was a little busy working and his Honey Do list lasted a little longer than hoped!]

It is the most magnificent time of the year!
The world just turns all these fabulous colors, and walks outside aren't that bad, and there's a little nip in the air reminding us that Winter and Jack Frost aren't far behind.
[And we know how I feel about the *Magic* of that season!]

It's the season to plant bulbs and most likely forget about them until spring pops up with a whole bunch of surprises and new life.

Autumn brings along with it a permission to drink hot tea and eat soup and have warm delicious foods and drinks without seeming insane like you do if you have soup in the summer! [who me?]

Coffee House Music has a place on afternoons where the light streaming in from the windows, makes one feel mellow, calm, and ready for a nap [or to just curl up with a good book/movie/cup of tea...something!

I am at my parents house, wee the light streaming in on the floor?
PS i love that blanket
&&&
The only reason my Stepmom Ann saved that rocking chair in the move is because she is planning to rock my babies [her grandbabies] to sleep in it one day.

And while it may not look like Autumn quite yet in Southern California, today is the official first day of Autumn and I know that the real weather is on it's way bringing lots of natures little gifts, and I for one cannot wait!

Haircut & Fall Fashion!

2011-09-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I got hair cut and some color put in.
And now my hair looks super amazing...and it won't look this good until I go back to get my next haircut! [Don't you hate how that works?]
PS it took 4 1/2 hours...INSANE!

Now Here for some Fall Fashion! :)

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This outfit is so cute! The scarf is lovely and the dress, the boots the tights and EVERYTHING!

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This outfit is also very lovely for fall!

Every year I see about the same trends for fall...brown, neutrals, darker prints, riding boots, scarves, and then every few years plaid, herringbone, tweed, military and corduroy weave their way in and out of fashion...

What trends have you seen this fall?
I've seen Herringbone the most! But I've also seen some Military Green!
When was your last haircut?
What did you get done?

PS every time my brother Joseph gets his hair cut, and we comment on it, he says
"actually I got a lot of hairs cut!"

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Obsession

2011-09-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

The other day my sister Dawn was watching something on TV...and I got hooked, and now I LOVE watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! Thank Goodness the season just started, and I am so excited to see where it goes!

It is deliciously filled with drama [that is not ones own] and strong, opinionated women, and it's just sooo freaking good! :D I can't even believe it!

PS if you don't watch...the husbands gossip too!

I am normally super happy to watch this
Except for yesterday when the lady staying at our house wanted to watch Football so I offered to let her change the channel. I am just so fed up with her I am like 3 of the housewives in 1 person! SERIOUSLY. Thank Goodness yesterday she didn't start drinking at noon...like she has for the past week!

Oh and I know it's totally trivial to post about The Real Housewives, I am just going to say it's part of my healing process. TV you don't need braincells to watch, and all you need to enjoy drama and really skinny women [that you secretly are jealous of]

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This is uptight British lady! I LOVE her hair! Oh and her wedding ring is insanely huge!

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I think Taylor is very pretty even though she is a little too thin, she has gorgeous big eyes!

[I am jealous because I feel like I have small eyes]

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All g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s!

What TV show is your guilty pleasure?

Life As We Know It

2011-09-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 8th, we took my dad home on hospice.

He was so tired of being poked and prodded and he just wanted to be home [and he always cried when he said this]

He knew what would happen when he went home, but he just wanted to go so badly. So for a little more than a week, we took care of him, and washed him everyday, talked to him, gave him scotch on a swab, [his favorite drink, and he couldn't swallow because of the stroke] he was given cigarettes to smoke [really they had a couple of puffs taken and then were put out and brought to him, so he had the smell but wasn't really smoking]

We played his favorite country music, and gave him lots of stuffed animals, and let our real animals get on the bed with him, and we talked to him, and told him it was okay to let go and that he would have so much fun in Heaven with his Mamma and his brother Steve and all the other people in his life that have gone before him, like my mother.

Friday morning, he went very very peacefully in his sleep.

He will not worry anymore.

He will not be sick any longer.

He is peaceful and happy in heaven, joking and laughing and telling stories.

He lives on in our memories

He lives on in his loving actions

He lives on through what he gave me...

My love of reading, My stubbornness, My strong opinions, and My smart mouth [ha!]

While I [and the rest of the family] miss him very much...

I am so happy that I believe he is in a better place where his football team wins every game, where he looks down on everyone and sees what they're doing, where he may be concerned, but worry won't hurt him anymore.

So on Friday afternoon, all my siblings came over, and we had a toast to my father. Half had amaretto tequila my Dad got on the Mexican Cruise Last Summer, and the rest of us had J&B Scotch...his favorite.

He will never be forgotten and he lives in us daily.

Thank You all for all your support and prayers and good thoughts!

I will be back to regular blogging soon!

♥

Death Is Not Wanted Here

2011-09-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Death is Not Wanted Here,

Knocking at the door,

We will not register the noise,

It's an option we will not explore.

Optimism is the name of the game,

Even cautiously so,

But we always hope for the best,

And hopefully [His] good graces will bestow...

A Miracle.

Death is not wanted today,

Creeping around the corner,

We shall fight him off,

We shall not be mourners,

And he really is quite a corker...

Praises we will tell him,

Of good things to come,

Of grandbabies and a long marriage,

And not of death whom he is running from.

Death is not wanted at all

But he is in His hands,

We hope He hears our praises, prayers and our pleas,

And know we're His/his biggest fans,

And simply pray for...

A Miracle.

-Anna Walker 09/07/2011

I spoke to my Dad on the phone and told him all about classes and my crazy teachers [one is best friends with a hummingbird! ] It was nice to speak to him like that again.
The doctor that his pneumonia is looking better in one of his lungs and his white blood cell count is going down...it was originally 13 then it skyrocketed to 16 now it's 11...
he also said that it was possible but not likely my Dad gets better...but we are STILL HOPING FOR A MIRACLE. [ESP. since the Dr. said all patients no matter what are in the hands of God]
Please keep praying and sending good thoughts.
And spread the word that my father needs the support, an army of people behind him.
xoxo
♥

A Miracle Is Needed

2011-09-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Most of my days are spent at the hospital.

My Dad had a stroke on August 23

He can't swallow right now

He now has pneumonia from aspirating

He has an e-coli infection too

And yesterday morning...they are pretty sure that he had a heart attack yesterday morning.

The doctors are doing all that they can...but they said they can't do anymore than they already are.

The only thing that can work now is a miracle.

Do you believe in miracles?

My friend Sammie had a sister who had brain cancer, and she got no treatment for it...her family prayed and prayed and prayed instead and the tumors went away. A Miracle.

[Readers Digest Version]

(My dad with his mom when he was around a year old!)

What needs to be prayed for:

My dad to have the strength to get better

For the pneumonia and infections to go away.

For my Dad to be able to work hard and gain his swallowing back.

For him not to get so agitated that his heart rate goes up, possibly causing another heart attack

He is able to rest and sleep at nights,

My stepmom is able to rest and sleep and not wear herself out

really, for my dad NOT to give up

Even if you don't pray, please send good thoughts AND Pass this along!

We really need a miracle he is just too young, and has so much more life to live!

Oh, I find that Abraham Lincoln explains this perfectly!

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Thank You So Much.

XOXO

♥

Quotes About Love

2011-09-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Some of the best quotes, are the ones about Love. I found one by Bob Marley this morning and I adore it now! :)

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Have you heard this quote before?

It's kind of great to remember perfect doesn't exist!

A few others, that I have collected over the years [and hopefully haven't already shared on this blog before...], and have always loved and that of course, are about love include...

"There are all kinds of Love, in the world, but never the same love twice" -F.Scott Fitzgerald

"May you be in love everyday for the next 20,000 days, and out of that love, remake a world." -Ray Bradbury

"Love, whether newly born or aroused from a death-like slumber, must always create a sunshine filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the Outward world" -Nathaniel Hawthorne VIA The Scarlett Letter

Via Pinterest

What is your favorite quote about love?
Did you read it at your wedding?
I also love "Home is Wherever I am with You"

A Rock 'N' Roll Wedding

2011-08-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

This wedding is so great! It has a classic look to it...with a twist! A Rock 'n' Roll twist to be exact. From the grooms hair, to the brides red lips, and even the brides dress! [like a mullet it is shorter in the front and longer in the back...business in the front and party in the back!]

Anyway...here are the photos!

The mix of red, white and black are really what helps make this rock 'n' roll!

Isn't their first look so cute?!

His hair is SO rock 'n' roll!

Don't they look so small and miniature?!

[all from Ruffled]

What twist did you or do you want to add to your wedding?!

Instead of Blogging...

2011-08-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

I have been hanging with my Dad in the hospital [he's doing okay, stable, he's having a heart procedure this morning to see if it's throwing off clots, so he needs extra thoughts and prayers, because his brain is super damaged.]

I've been dreaming of new fall clothing...

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Love the gold, and the sweater!

I've been not showering [ha I seriously need to!]

I've also been watching a lot of Grey's Anatomy Season 2

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I will try to be back to blogging more soon!

What have you all been up to?

Cape Cod: The Drink and The Place.

2011-08-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

While eating at Ruby's Diner the other day, I noticed a drink on the back of their menu that looked intriguing...it was called a Cape Cod...now I've always been obsessed with Cape Cod it looks gorgeous, sounds lovely, is on my Bucket List and The Kennedy's hung out there!

JFK Library in Hyannis Port 1962

It seems like an easy drink to make, but it sounds so lovely, like you would drink it in Cape Cod on a porch watching the sunset...and it's pretty easy too.

Cape Cod
In a Highball glass...
Pour over ice
1 shot [1 1/2 ounces] of vodka
Fill the rest up with cranberry juice
add a slice of lime, if wanted and squeeze the juice in to the drink as well.
The drink recipe varies, as you can add more or less vodka, cranberry juice, lime, or no lime, but this is the basic formula!

Now...if only I could travel to Cape Cod right now

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Updates on my Dad. He's doing okay, his PTSD always flares up in the hospital, so last night he thought that there were people coming to shoot up the people in the hospital...Thankfully he doesn't remember anything and thinks he was good all night long. Physically he's doing good and is stable, but mentally...he's very weak, they think he may even have early stages of Alzheimer's so PLEASE keep him in your thoughts, and prayers, and send good vibes! :)

Good Thoughts and Well Wishes Needed

2011-08-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

My father just had his 4th stroke this year. This one is a lot worse than the rest were.

He cannot swallow he can't use his right side right now,

he doesn't speak well at all anymore...

and the believe he not only has the stroke, and

the COPD but now he has fluid around his heart, and

the think he has congestive heart failure...

PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

I think he really needs them right now.

Him, blowing ot the candles at his lastest birthday celebration!

Chickens, Swedish Potatoes, and More Vegetables Oh My!

2011-08-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had a family dinner where everyone came except for my Stepbrother Joseph and his wife Erin, and their kids Maddie and Sky. They were too busy enjoying Hawaii...

I'm only a little jealous...

Anyway, I volunteered to cook dinner and here is what we had!

2 chickens not just one!

Summer Squash and Zucchini with Parmesan and pepper!

Sauteed in half water half butter. It came to me off the top of my head.

Out of The Oven.

Swedish Potatoes!

I love making these, they remind me of my childhood!

Dessert was not made by me, but by Dawn [my stepsister], who is an amazing baker! It was white [yellow?!] cake with homemade lemon frosting and some raspberries in between the layers and on top!

Gorgeous!

[and yummmmmmy]

I had a fabulous weekend, and have lots of more things to tell you all about later!

How was your weekend?

What did you do?

PS If you're wondering, I am still vegetarian...I just made meat for everyone else, had the Swedish Potatoes, Zucchini and Squash, some un-pictured steamed broccoli [why un-pictured? Because I think a lot of people know what it looks like, a roll, and then of course CAKE!

PPS: How the Chickens were cooked...

brush on white wine, and olive oil. Put on whatever herbs you want. Cut up garlic cloves and hide everywhere....cut up a lemon and onion and put in butts of chicken after drizzling lemon juice over them. Cook at 375 for a little more than an hour....

Warning...giving people an anatomy lesson with the insides of the chicken does not go over well!

Gorgeous Pink Wedding Dress.

2011-08-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

This Wedding Wednesday this week didn't happen, so Wedding Friday is happening instead! This one will be dedicated to Janel, who not only commented but also texted me about when I was going to do a wedding this week! :D

Pink!

Love the bouquet in the truck!

Doesn't that barn look gorgeous on the inside!?

Still can't get over the dress!

I think these two photos are the best!

LOVE this last part! It's so freaking sweet!

From Kurt Boomer Photography!
It's gorgeous isn't it!?
Love love love the pink dress! It goes perfectly and stands out with the rustic theme!

What is your favorite kind of wedding?
Rustic, vintage, modern...?

21 Day Yoga Challenge Updates!

2011-08-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking on telling you guys how it's going! Even on posts with a delicious recipe, I forgot to mention how it was going! So I will update you guys now! :D

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August 10th, I did power yoga for Weight Loss and this was NO JOKE! 5 Sun Salutations in a row, then lots of warrior poses and a shoulder stand and such! It KILLED so bad, but of course, was good! My arms were shaking the next day still!

August 11th, I did my favorite Yoga video from Polly at Yoga Is Yummy! It's called Peace, Love, Joy, and TOTALLY has to do with Christmas which isn't close to happening yet!

August 12th, I did a Morning Yoga podcast, and there were Sun Salutations, and lots of backbends! It was fun, and my back felt amazing afterwards.

August 13th, I did a Sun Salutations and Warrior Poses, but I didn't have a lot of time, seeing as this was our Brunch and Walking around San Luis Day!

August 14th....Nothing. Maybe a few stretches, but I woke up and it was family day, [and swimming at the pool] and then I drove 2 hours home and was exhausted! I will make it up don't worry!

August 15th, Power Yoga for Running. Hurt so bad, in Warriors, because I did it after a 1.77 mile jog. I was shaking! BUT It's supposed to add flexibility, and strength!

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If any of you joined me...how is your challenge going?!

AND for those who didn't...why don't you join in now! I think I may keep going, or create a new challenge! :D