The Beat Goes On

Mini berry crisps / Breezy kitchen window

Saying Grace

Little L man

End of Quarter

New funky lamp / Sister Bag

Running shoes, part deux 

Sunny flower pots / Indoor ficus 

Old and new pieces

Oh Hi There!

After not blogging for a month, I tend to start avoiding my computer.

It's not that I don't have anything to say...it's the opposite.

It's that I've been living life and the pressure to adequately convey the joys/adventures/stresses/bits and pieces is daunting.

In my perfect world I would invite you over to our house for coffee and we'd talk in person. You'd have to be okay with a rambunctious black lab who meets you at the door with 3 toys in his mouth, and who wants to love you. And by love you I mean lick your face.

Life has felt so full lately!

The New Year has treated us well. I'm feeling healthy, positive, energized, and excited for so many things.

Winter in Santa Barbara has been lovely. As ever, this girl is loving the sun.

Working at MAW has been an adjustment, but I love it. Great team who supports my love of good coffee and good humor.

Weddings/photo projects on the horizon and I'm pumped. Matthew has been second shooting with me and it's crazy fun to work with him.

I've returned to cooking with an even greater fervor in the past few months. New cookbooks, new recipes, new dishes, new cast iron. If I win the lottery tomorrow, I know exactly how I'd spend my days...

Lots of traveling on the books for this year, and we're starting to plan our next European adventure! Exciting stuff.

More good things coming soon. For now I'll leave you with an iPhone photo (no filter!) of my view as I leave work each night - no joke.

Bonne Année

Hello and Happy New Year!

As I type, I'm sniffling and cradling a mug of steaming ginger lemon tea. I have that distinctive look of one who has been terribly sick for about a week: a red nose, pajama uniform, fluffy beanie, scarf, and a voice that is just on this side of Kathleen Turner. 

There's nothing like ringing in the new year feeling the sickest you've been in a long time, but I'm choosing to believe it was nature's little way of helping me detox for 2013. Yeah that's it. Naturally detoxing. You guys should totally try this detox. Blowing your nose 1000+ times a day and coughing up half a lung - so cleansing! 

Anyway, before my health (and general appearance) took a nose dive, I had quite a lovely holiday. Again, I repeat for the hundredth time: I AM SO THANKFUL TO BE BACK IN CALIFORNIA. Last Christmas we were alone in the snow, a plane ride away from our families and friends- but this year! - a quick ride in the ol' CRV and we were able to see almost everyone. 

Big family dinners, hikes in the canyon, sleeping in the tiny attic-esque bedroom, hanging with the kids, reading good books, Croquet match, gifts, card games, stories, Kathy's homemade Christmas Crackers...

The best. 

So for now I'm working on wrapping up this pesky sickness cleanse and starting on all the fun things I have planned for 2013. This year is going to be amazing! :)

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!

All Our Love | Christmas 2012

Hello friends.

This week has been heavy, and tonight I am counting my blessings.

My heart is broken for friends, acquaintances, strangers - so many that are dealing with loss and pain this week. I can't wrap my brain around it all.

In the words of my beautiful friend Laura: let's honor the crap out of these people. Let's honor them by pouring out all the love we have. Hug your families. Be nice to strangers. Celebrate the joy of this season.

This year Matthew and I decided to make a little Christmas video instead of our traditional cards - it's a true, dorky look at our little family unit - unpolished, but genuine.

Sending all our love to you this December - may your holidays be filled with love, light, togetherness, comfort, and joy.

xoxo

Life Happens

Where have I been.

That is the question. 

The answer is: 

EVERYWHERE. 

These last two weeks have been filled to the brim with new, wonderful, festive, and fun things. 

I got a new job. (Bullet points: great position, great team, great organization, cute little office, gorgeous campus.)

I went on a road trip. (Bullet points: Kate, Kathy, Martin's, Susie, happy hour with friends, shopping, apple fritters.)

I did a few photo sessions. (Bullet points: fun, gorgeous, will share soon.)

We celebrated Thanksgiving. (Bullet points: food/family/fun in SoCal, drawing names for Christmas/virtual celebration with Roseville family via FaceTime.)

So many good things, so grateful. Blogging will be a bit light over the next month or so as I take time to transition into my new role, etc. but I'll be back with Christmas cheer soon. 

xoxo!