so i have this friend...

this post is totally not what you're thinking.

but i do have this friend.

who i have known for a total of ohhhh somehting like 8 weeks.

and you know what she did in that 8 weeks?

she made me love her TO DEATH.

and now ... well her little spot beside me will be empty from 9-5.

and yes i will still see her sweet face doing many more fun things like:

drinking lattes
painting ceramics
shopping
invading other cities

however,

i will MISS her.

and not the kind of miss that you are like 'ohwahteveritsnotabigdeal'

the kind of miss where you're like WHOAireallymissyou.

the silver lining though [because there is always always a silver lining]

is that this is one of those times that just when you think your life was really perfect, it got more perfecter.

you know that feeling right?

oh goodness i hope you do.

xo

for real?

the past week it has hit me like a freight train.

we are getting married...

in nine freaking months.

that is 100% totally less than a year.

all of those DIY projects that i have been dreaming about are going to start coming together.

all of those offers to help are going to be cashed in on.

all of my dreams of registering for our new house are going to come true very very soon.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEE i could not be more excited.

something new.

did you ever have something that you wanted to SCREAM from the roof tops but under absolutely no circumstances were you allowed to mention even a whisper?

that is how i am feeling at this moment.

like i just want to let it all out.

and tell you everything.

tell you every single last bit of every detail that i know.

except that i don't have all the details. and i'm not too sure of what i know. except for that it is going to be a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

almost but probably not quite as amazing as the truffle girls who are rocking my world so.damn.hard. right now.

well worn

Cosmic girl, originally uploaded by E.m.m.a...

years of artful dancing. and aching.

the thrills of the stage. and the quietness of backstage.

graceful bows and pliets.

something about this photo instantly reminded me of my 5 years short of life long friendship with my lovely tara.

i think it might be that these shoes seem to be worn in all the right places and look oh so comfortable.

like you could slip them on every day and dance dance dance.

just like us.

type.

words.

letters.

fonts.

i love them all.

in my search for the perfect font i found the site veer

how did i not know about this?

how many years have i lived without knowing this site existed?

cynthia june has me by the heartstrings.

and by heartstrings i mean i havetoneedto have this.

you know what i mean right?

plus...june is one of my most favorite names ever.

this has me excited

[not sure where these came from - if they are yours let me know and i will give props]

xo

because they match the rest of my wardrobe

i heart these so much.

the round toe.

the heel.

the color.

and. the. ruffles.

ohmylord. the ruffles.

it was like they were sitting on the shelf waiting for me.

so of course i snagged them.

and now they are about the only thing you'll see on my feet for quite awhile.

words.

i love them.

love love love them [even though i have had a hard time finding them lately].

the delicious karey m. reminded me of these ones today and they made my otherwise ireallyhateyouandidontwanttodoanythingtoday mood fly out right out the window.

sometimes you just need a little reminder of what you have.

or what you stand to lose.

i've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does
go on and it will be better tomorrow. i've learned that you can tell a lot about
a person by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage,
and tangled christmas tree lights. i've learned that regardless of your
relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your
life. i've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
i've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. i've learned that
you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to
be able to throw something back. i've learned that whenever i decide something
with an open heart, i usually make the right decision. i've learned that even
when i have pains, i don't have to be one. i've learned that every day you
should reach out and touch someone. people love a warm hug, or just a friendly
pat on the back. i've learned that i still have a lot to learn. i've learned
that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but
people will never forget the way you made them feel.

delicious paper

can we talk about my love of paper for a moment?

i truly adore everything about it. the way it feels. the way it smells.

i love writing on it.

i especially love a nice thick cotton paper.

that said it is no surprise that invites have been one of the toughest decisions i have had to make.

mr. lemon pie is surely a little weary of my [almost] daily 'do you like this one?' link and photos.

i've also decided that i am going to design and print my own invites which is really another whole post in itself.

did i mention that they just opened a BRAND NEW paper source 30 minutes from my house?!

a few invites that i am coveting at the moment:

via

i heart the flourishes and colors. especially the craft paper matchbook. most of all i love the 'accept' and 'decline' stickers! [can you even believe that these are DIY?!]

via

where do i start. the envelope liner? swoon. the textures? double swoon. the font?....can someone help me up off the floor please?

via

omg. the photo corners. how can you not love this? extra points for the vintage book look. love. love. love. duh.

via

simple, clean and scalloped. this has everything you need for a knock 'em dead invite suite. plus i have a thing for postcards.

via

this is pretty similar to what i *think* we want. vintage feel. poster style. clean lines. simple but elegant font.

our invites will read 'summer cocktail attire' so we want our invites to have a relaxed yet classy feel.

am i asking too much?

what did you look for in your invites? did you have your heart set on a particular style or were you more go with the flow?

love letters

mr. lemon pie and i have been love letter writers from the very start.

i am fond of ones sent in the mail.

and secret ones stashed in books and notebooks to be found a little later.

but this hand delivered one:
well it takes the cake.
and the gal who received it is a very very lucky one.

i thank my lucky stars every day that i am marrying such a thoughtful gent.

because those little notes always make my day.

love notes via the uber talented melissa at ISLY

hats and hats

they can all be found right here.

[a little shameless self promotion never hurt right?]

oh hello

via

these envelopes.

i think that everyone should get one in the mail because they are SO DANG PRETTY.

xo

a new edition? possibly.

my mr. lemon pie...he likes this blogging thing

it is a possibility that you are going to be seeing him around these parts soon.

p.s.
my lack of pictures lately is directly related to my laziness of not uploading them from the camerara. [you can ask mr. lemon pie how he feels about that. i must warn you though, it might not be very pretty or lovely. thankfully he loves me just the same even when i drive him a little bit nuts]

can we talk about this please?

i am melting right now.



melting into a puddle of happiness.



why you ask?



well, have a little read below and you'll see why.

“When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake,
and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You
have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is
inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is
not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every
second of the day. It is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing
every part of your body. No… don’t blush. I am telling you some truths. For that
is just being in love; which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love
itself is what is left over, when being in love has burned away.”- Captain
Corelli’s Mandolin

via i am blessed

via

also: i don't think it is a secret how much i love my mr. lemonpie right?

not the first and certainly not the last

did you know what i've got a thing for quotes?

i had always loved them and then about oh 7 years ago [has it really been that long?!] a dear dear friend gave me a journal with a few good quotes and told me to fill the rest with my own.

best gift ever.

and i know i have paid it forward quite a few times as well.

this one...it is being added to the collection for sure:

“If you pick me a flower, I’ll wear it in my hair. I’ll stash little notes for
you where you least expect them. I don’t have many firsts left.. but I’d like
someone who I could offer all of my lasts. We’ll make history together. I’ll
wait for you even if you’re late – and I won’t complain about it. Kindness to
cashiers, valets, waiters and maddeningly slow postal clerks who would try the
patience of Gandhi is a must. I will feel safe and most at peace in your arms.
When you’re counting aloud, I will try and mess you up. I find you magically
delicious. I will let you be right when it doesn’t really matter. I’ll giggle
when you show off and I know it’s just for me. I’ll hold your coffee while you
drive. I can build a fire without burning the house down. If you wash the car
with me – I promise to wear a white t-shirt for you. I‘ll hide around corners
and try to scare you in the middle of the night.. of course, I’ll end up scaring
myself and you’ll have to calm me down. I can change a flat tire and my own oil.
It’s the simple things you do that make me swoon the most. I love it when you
sing to me. I’ll make you mickey mouse pancakes. Sleeping in has a whole new
meaning now that we’re doing it together. I’ll cover you up and kiss your
forehead when you fall asleep watching tv. I won’t swear around your family or
make you wear silly sweaters at my family’s during Christmas. I’ll grant you
three wishes. I’ll make you laugh. I’ll stare in wonder with you at that hot
chick with the great rack. I will marvel at your strength. I’ll take care of you
when you’re sick. I give a kick ass massage. I think it’s hot when you come home
all dirty from playing or working hard. My heart will skip every time you walk
through the door. My kisses will take your breath away – seriously. I’ll giggle
if you leave your socks on in bed. My quirks and oddities have been deemed
‘adorable’ and I will love you more everyday for all of yours. I’ll hold you
when you need it. I will give you space when you need it. I will let you be you.
You’ll sleep better when I’m next to you. I’ll thank you every time you open a
door for me. I’ll never give you shit in front of your friends. I won’t ever let
you leave for work in the morning without your lunch and a passionate kiss. We
can watch your movie first. I’ll clean the house perfectly every time your mom
comes by. I like horror movies only when you’re with me and only as long as you
hold me close. I don’t litter. I love when you pull me down to sit on your lap.
I love it when you lay your head on my chest in bed. I can be ready (shower and
all) in half an hour. I’ll look cute as hell in your shirt in the morning. I can
balance a checkbook. I can never turn down a challenge. I’ll fit perfectly in
your arms. I’ll understand if you get jealous – and do my best to show you that
you have no reason. Hand-written love notes will get you laid every time. I can
totally keep a secret. I’m pretty damn funny and will do anything to make you
laugh. You will always look hot to me in the morning. I think it’s cute when you
eat off my plate. When you’re sleeping, I’ll try to stay quiet. I’ll call when I
say I will. Treat me like a woman and I’ll treat you like a man. To clarify: I’m
not looking for a fix-up project, or anything of that sort. I’m looking for a
man who quite simply adds something extraordinary and special to my life. And I
to him. A fair exchange, an amazing mind, body and soul connection and a place
to build something magnificent.”

via (via pinkeezy)(via marjchun)

perfect flowers

via

are these not the most perfect flowers ever?

ok ok you don't have to agree but friends...these make my heart pitter patter.

i think i have *finally* found my DIY flower inspiration.

what would be even more lovely is if some of these could be found in the gardens of friends and family.

where did you get your flower inspiration?

as of late

this has been a complete week of crafting.

literally every day.

what i've completed (&shipped):
1 'taggie'
1 awesome quilt
song bird onesie with little matching rumba pants

in the works:
another awesome quilt using some of my favorite fabric
a snuggly bunny hat
a sweet little dress for lilla
another taggie
pink little houndstooth rumba pants

...the little things i have already shipped, i have no pictures.

i really do need to be better about that but you can see the song bird onesie in the shop as well as the snuggly bunny hat.

next step: take pictures of EVERYTHING. srsly.

are you ready for the weekend?

let them eat cake.

via

i walked into konditor meister today, saw this amazing creation and fell in love.

best part:

mr. lemon pie was with me and loves it as much as i do.

it has ruffles.

and rhinestones.

OMG.

mr. lemon pie's sweet godmother will be making our cake but this...this is our inspiration.

where i want to be

via

so comfy and inviting.

makes me want a nice little happy cabin in the wildnerness right?

birdcages & bobs

since i did the pre-wedding chop quite a few peeps have asked me what i am going to do with my shorter-in-the-back-a-little-longer-in-the-front bob [that i love].





my response has always been ‘i am sure we will figure it out.’





then i saw this photo:

via

and dropped dead because it is basically everything that i want in a hairstyle and a birdcage.

i thought i wanted a fascinator to go along along with the birdcage but now i am not so sure.

i think i like the simplicity of the just the birdcage.

what are your thoughts – fascinator or no fascinator?

so amazing

via found via

this is insanely awesome.

i mean really...what more can you say?

totally madly deeply in love

die and go to heaven here

each piece is handmade to order and you get to pick your color.

silk blue
apple green
alpine rose
white with your choice of accent color

...are you swooning yet?

you can choose from 5 cake stand styles and one dessert plate style.

i think i need one [of each].

can i have 8 weddings?

source

i am in flipping LOVE with this.

like take a gigantic bite out of it in love.

if our venue would lend itself to this decor i would change all of our wedding plans in a new york minute.

i suppose that i will admire from afar.

or...maybe suggest to my lovely bridesmaids that this would make a wonderful shower.

or...maybe someone will ask me to throw a baby girl shower or their bridal shower!

can you imagine how sweet a vintage tea cup favor would be or maybe even some parisian macaroons.

...my mind is swarming with all of the lovely lovely things you could do here.

eco living: does this qualify?

source

mr. lemon pie and i have been joking around for awhile now that to save money [and buy a house] that we can live in my parents RV post wedding.

we always get a good chuckle out of it but um....i think i could live in this small space just because of its sheep beauty.

never mind the teeny tiny shower.

sign me up for this lovely.

i am really loving these a ton and i am pretty sure that they speak for themselves right?

antiqued wooden signs are one of those things that i have a soft spot in my heart for.

they also really make me want the dream house mr. lemon pie and i so often discuss.

via [i really do adore her]

giving

this is a busy few weeks for birthdays.

little sister lemon pie who will be 19. [which is really not so little]

my gorgeous 'niece' lil who will be 5. [where did the time go?!]

my wonderful mr. lemon pie who really does deserve the world.

example [from this morning via text during our respective commutes]:

me: hi
me: just a reminder that i love you
mr. lemon pie: you don't need to remind me about that. i always know that you love me. and i always love you.

is that not the best way to start the day?

so, back to the point of this post.

normally i am 100% on top of this whole gift giving thing but i am lagging behind. i am pretty sure that i am going to do this for mr. lemonpie...but the others....where do i begin?

note: lil loves a good handmade gift and frequently requests dresses. little sister well she is a bit tougher BUT will be going into her sophomore year of college.

any ideas?

a testimonial [of sorts]

source

i think that by now we are all ::well aware:: that i have an addiction to la target.

a few months ago my little sister began using target brand baby soap as an eye makeup remover [works like a charm btw].

i of course jumped on the bandwagon.

but, it doesn't end there.

mr. lemon pie and i began 'project wedding' which entailed a new gym membership + permanent lockers to make it easier to be able to shower and then go about work/play/errands.

this meant buying doubles of everything.

well, i was not going to buy doubles of the slightly expensive body wash that i use at home, so i decided to go with the target brand [up & up] baby soap and baby lotion.

dual purpose - it removes my makeup AND it is a body wash.

here is the kicker:

i have super sensitive skin that breaks out because of EVERYTHING and while i am totally dedicated to proactive on my face i found that a lot of things [including proactive] happen to be too harsh for the rest of me.

except for the baby soap.

my skin looks and feels better.

even after swimming in a super chlorinated pool twice a week for a couple of weeks.

the best part of this whole thing: it all cost me less than $5

how's that for pre-wedding savings.

organization skills

here is a little sneak peak into what i have been working on lately.

about a minute after we got engaged i started thinking about our wedding binder and all the deliciousness that i would fill it with.

so i typed up all these lists and whatnot and put them in page protectors and that was that.

except it wasn’t because i think we all know how i love pretty things and these sheets were …well….

plain.

so i took some inspiration and created these babies which i love.

as soon as i get them all typed up i will post a template here for some downloading fun.

because folks – business can’t be all work and no play!

i swear this is not a lie

last night mr. lemon pie and i did a spin class.

he is an old pro.

it was my 'first ride.'

and let me tell you something - i am downright addicted.

like a drug addicted.

i have been taking baby steps to get back into a good gym routine and this was my gigantic leap and i am so glad i did it.

it was fun and engaging and best of all...

it went by so fast.

like 'did i really just bike for 40 minutes?' fast.

i was even a little sad it was over. [i know right?!]

so spinning is def going to be added into the routine and i could not be happier.

also: one of the best parts about this story is that when mr. lemon pie and i first met [and before we started dating] we used to make fun of couples that would go to the gym together. one year later - here we are with our gym bags treking in there together. never in a million years did i ever think that would happen but you know what...

life could not be sweeter.

so totally what i am looking for

source

when i think of our wedding this is what almost immediately comes to mind.

our venue has the same high ceilings and massive amounts of windows.

is it next summer yet?

i know. i know.

a little ahead of myself right?

i am just over the moon excited to marry the love of my life.

oh! and did i tell you? we've decided on place cards/favors!

this whole wedding planning gig is everything + more than it is cracked up to be.

period.

i am ready

phase 1: get into a routine

the countdown begins here folks.

the wedding is officially 12 months away [WOOHOO!] and toned arms are not something my body knows about.

but i am starting slow.

i don't want to burn out.

tonight will be my first foray into water aerobics and i will make my way up to spinning and pilates classes.

did you have a workout routine pre-wedding? if not, how did you get started?

am i going to be in trouble for this?

so i just listed a few items in my etsy shop....

and i found the 'recently listed' feed.

then i put it on full screen.

and watched it fill up with handmade goodness.

rats.

i do not think i ever should have found that because really it is torture. torture torture.

i would like to have it all...ok?

the upside: it made me want to be wildly creative again [i've missed that].

guac

Guacamole champion of the world?

Count me in.

I just ordered this book because guac seriously is the best snack ever.

via

playing catch up around here these days.

it is so easy in the summer to just let the warm days and sun take you away from the less fun things that you should be doing.

like laundry

and organizing

this weekend though, totally worth it.

my love took part 1 of the cpa exam which we celebrated with chocolate cake

my sweet little sewing machine made her way back home running like a dream after some much needed tlc.

dancing and laughing and complete joy at the wedding of a dear friend [mr. lemon pie and i, we love a good excuse to get all dolled up].

the new edition of a wii fit [which so kindly informed me that i need to get my butt in gear]

today. today is back to the grind.

and some serious planning to get back on track.

two things

one: mr. lemonpie is taking part 1 of the massachusetts CPA test today. i am crossing fingers and toes and saying lots of prayers. he has worked so hard studying and i am so proud that he is so dedicated to the things he loves.

two: i woke up this morning to find that my car had been broken into. ew. all they got was my GPS [a birthday present from mr. lemonpie because i am certainly directionally challenged] and my make-up bag [which was horrifying because it had EVERYTHING in it...and it is not cheap to replace.

thankfully they are just things. replaceable things that don't mean anything in the grand scheme.

the big thing today: mr. lemonpie's first hurdle and what i am sure will be triumph and that my friends is something to celebrate.

invitations

so i had this fear that i would not be able to make my own invites. i mean i knew that with a lot of patience and some craftiness of mama lemonpie and i that we could totally get them done.

but i was still a little worried.

then today a co-worker brought in the invitations that she made for her daughters wedding and holy cow!

they are amazing.

and classy.

and beautiful.

so very very soon i am going to embark on this endeavor to be sure that i have enough time to fiddle.

what do you think diy invitations or not?

on doing it yourself

we have a teeny little thing called a wedding budget.

i know this means different things to different people but to us it means keeping the cost of this affair under $12,000.

i have decided that our smaller budget it actually a blessing in disguise.

why you ask?

well, instead of outsourcing to vendors we get to include those most important to us in planning and executing.

I really love that idea.

I love the idea that everyone will be working together and that we will get to spend a few extra moments that we may not have had with friends and family.

Our do it yourself list is a somewhat lengthy one:

Save the dates

Invitation suite

Calligraphy

Centerpieces

Escort cards

Favors

Guest book

Birdcage

Through all of this, the most important part of our wedding day is the connection we have with each other and the people who have supported us our entire lives.

We want our wedding day to not only be a celebration of the beginning of our lives together but also a thank you to all of those who have helped us reach this point in our lives.

What are your do it yourself projects? Are you planning on having your family and friends be a large part of your big day?

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

mr. lemonpie and i – we are not living together before we get married.

we have discussed it to death over the past year – the pros the cons, how easy it would be, how much money we could save, how fun it would be, how it would make the married transition easier, how much more we’d get to see each other and on and on and on.

the other night after we had made appointments just to ‘see what was out there’ we had a light bulb moment.

we don’t want to shack up together…yet.

we have years and years of coming home to each other and saving for a house and on and on and on.

what about right now [and how hard it can be both living at home]?

right now we will enjoy the last year of looking forward to seeing each other after being apart for three days.

we will cherish those moments when mr. lemonpie drops me off on sunday night and we sit in the car [not wanting to leave each other] and talk about what a great weekend we had and how amazing it was to spend the whole day together.

i will still send little love notes via snail mail.

he will still send me flowers.

and we will squeeze our eyes shut tight and scream i miss you over the phone lines.

but most of all right now we will dream about the days when we don’t have to leave, or say i miss you and when we can wake up every morning next to our favorite person ever.

i know it doesn’t work for everyone but it works for us and for the first time well, ever, we are ok with it [and those who think we are nuts for waiting.]

did you wait to move in with your love? are you living with your love now? how does living together or not living together make your relationship happier?

inspired by:

pre wedding chop

i know there is a lot of talk about the famous ‘post wedding chop’ a.k.a pwc but what i have not come across yet is the ‘pre wedding chop.’

sound scary?

what got me thinking about this?

well, when mr. lemonpie and i got engaged i had visions of the lauren conrad side ponytail. i even brought my hairdresser a magazine picture of lauren’s hair and said ‘i want that’

source

4 months later here i am at the hairdresser for the usual ‘cut and color’ when i say ‘i really want to cut it all off but i am afraid that by next summer it won’t be long enough.’

my hairdresser then tells me not to cut it because i am not ready.

so i told her to cut it because heck! do not tell me i am not ready! not to mention it is hair and it will grow back and it is going to look awesome next summer because it will be all new and freshly grown out and i will have the side ponytail of my dreams.

30 minutes later i am staring at the sweetest most loveliest blonde bob that i have ever had my entire life and i am completely and totally head over heels in love with it.

and i cannot bear for a second to grow it out because – i am not lying when i tell you this – it does whatever i want it to do. last weekend mr. lemonpie and i went on a 15 mile bike ride [yes, i even wore a helmet], drove with the windows down and went for a swim, and my hair still looked good!

so my dream of a luxurious side ponytail on my wedding day has been replaced with dreams of pin curls and rockabillys and pretty waves.

did anyone else take the plunge and chop off their hair before their wedding?

may december romance

ashton kutcher & demi moore.

michael douglas & catherine zeta jones.

harrison ford & calista flockhart.

...to name a few...

then there is my fiance(22) and i(28).

the finace i met while working for the same management consulting firm. [i was the assistant to the CFO and he was the finance intern]

the finace who when mama lemon pie saw a picture of asked 'who is that and why aren't you dating him?!'

i said: 'he's too young! sister lemon pie is closer in age than we are!'

mama lemon pie's response was: 'he is NOT too young. period.'

i never in a million years thought that i would end up marrying 'the intern.'

and yes, there are times when i say how old he is and how old i am that i get a little sheepish.

and there are times when we look at eachother and we realize that sometimes we do have to work through a little bit of a 'gap.'

but at the end of the day in know that i am so truly lucky and blessed to have found 'my person.' the one who despite our six year age difference totally and completely and utterly understands every working mechanism of who i am.

we are a bonafide may-december romance and we completely love every single minute of it.

venue love

pictures are worth a thousand words.

check. check. and check.

about the wedding?

we are getting there.

venue = check

dj = check

flowers = check

concept = check

DIY hat = check

...more to come when i get the photos off the camera-ra-ra.

xo

copperplate

amidst all the rain.

and the thunder.

and instead of building an arc to make it through the 'flood' in these parts.

i will be tucking myself away to do some fancy writing.

the recipient?

i hope she'll be pleased.

[oh yes, those are the new tools i aquired. lovely lovely.]

meet bette

this is bette. my new love.

she is swift and comfy and the prettiest shade of blue i have ever seen.

her maiden voyage was on saturday.

she handled the cape cod canal quite well.

this weekend is all about parades and cookouts and fireworks.

a lovely addition.

coming soon: a lovely and sweet basket.

houston, we have a problem.

i just discovered the joys of ebay.

i know - it really did take me this long to bid on and win an item.

i started out looking for a typewriter....and now i am the proud owner of 100 vintage stamps.

yes. 100.

they are beautiful though.

love stamps and rose stamps and north american wildlife stamps and gorgeous blue jay stamps.

this weekend i decided that i was going to stop bidding on vintage stamps because this was getting out of control. and then this morning i won two more auctions that i really didn't think i was going to win. and that brought my total to 100.

except since they are all vintage stamps (20, 32 & 22 cent) i now have to bid on some more to ehem, complete my collection right?

we've only just begun

this is our very first picture together. ever.
we carpooled to vermont [for a company outing] and after months of flirting, weeks of being good friends and 3 days of coffee runs and company meetings decided that it was inevitable - we had to be together. we knew there were so many amazing places on the way home that we decided to stop and get a disposable camera. all morning we took photos, talked about how amazing miles and miles of trees are, discussed our love of coffee and held hands the whole time. [isn't he handsome]

this is how we rang in new years with two of our favorite people.
they are our very 'best couple.' [isn't she so cute?!]

and this is our first vacation together.where we got ENGAGED.

sure enough the love of my life proposed to me right in front of cinderella's castle. during this show:

he asked me if i knew what his wish was.

i had no idea.

so i asked.

and he told me that his wish is that i would marry him.

my answer: yes. yes. yes. yesyesyesyes.

because this man really does make all my wishes come true.

crayons

these babies are from Timothy Liles and they basically make me drool. you can buy them here.

also: they are limited edition which means that not everyone will be coloring with them. or wearing them for that matter. if i didn't have to SAVE until the cows come home these delicious crayon rings would be on their way to my doorstep. right. now.

and the packaging...well friends...it is

to

die

for.

and then there were these:
love is right.

and you can get them on etsy from kitty baby love.

handmade = totally awesome.

did i mention that each little kitty face is a teeny bit different because their little kitty baby faces are hand carved.

does it get better than that?

[all of this amazing crayon-ness via ohdeedoh]

here we go. again.

i'm here.

i'm gone.

i'm here.

i'm gone.

enough with the back and forth already right.

i've got a few things (wonderful things) on my radar.

and i am about to tell you all about them.

off the needles

feather & fan stitch.

turned into a [long overdue] blanket for the sweetest little 2 and a half month old i know. which i am sure will be loved and snuggled over and over.

4 skeins of bernat cotton tots = super soft and cushy. size 9 needles. cast on 74 stitches. feather & fan is worked in multiples of 18. i added an extra knit stitch at the edge. (72 sts for the pattern+2).

sappy fridays

i think this is becoming some sort of tradition.

but this:

“Whatever train you came on, is the train that I’ll take home. Your head upon my shoulder as the sun is sinking low. I always am reminded when the stars come out to shine. You bring joy, joy, joy and peace of mind.” {grateful dead}

oh it takes my breath away.

the distance

i found out that i cannot run to rap/hip hop like i usually do. it throws off my breathing and then 20 minutes in i feel like my lungs are going to explode but my legs want to keep going.

solution: run to slower music

the playlist:
song - artist - [comments]
boy with a coin - iron & wine [very 'juno']
heartbeat - madonna [amazingly delicious]
i'm on fire - kate tucker [possibly the best cover ever]
blue light - bloc party [still listening to this even after two years]
viva la vida - coldplay [need i say more?]
hummingbird - wilco [catchy and lovely]
the fear - lily allen [omg. new favorite song]
75 and sunny - ryan montbleau band [talent.talent.talent.]
be somebody - kings of leon [mildly obsessed]
time to pretend - mgmt [two words: brit pop]
breakdown - handsome boy modeling school feat. jack johnson [stellar collaboration]
angry dance - the shills [i saw them play a basement show!]
lightspeed - matt & kim [hand claps!]
world hold on - bob sinclair feat. steve edwards [great way to push through the last few minutes]

hopefully this will relax me a little and then i can run for a bit longer.

i'm off to give it a whirl

*all the above songs are available on iTunes. check.them.out.

xo

i'm ready

ready for green grass. and bubbling streams. and reading a good book in the sun.

the flower show yesterday: simply amazing. i have no idea how they do it.

having my love home for the weekend: i swear it gets better every time.

the recipe i tried: a new family favorite.

xo