weekend pix

What a great weekend.

I went down to Portland for Gina's baby shower (she is due in a week!)

Got to spend some time with Luke

(Luke's) Aunt Sue & Uncle T

& mys sis.

best margaritas ever. pf changs happy hour

best chicken lettuce wraps ever. pf changs happy hour, again

best street noodles

tiny desserts

beers at Henry's

my sis & i

luke & my sis

ginas baby shower loot

Hope you all had a great weekend, too!

I finally won something!

I cannot believe that I forgot to blog about this! but...

I finally won my first giveaway! 

I feel like I enter endless giveaways, but I never end up being the lucky winner. Well, my luck took a turn for the better & on Valentines Day it was announced that I won something! Yippee!

Natalie from The Southern Hostess hosted this giveaway on her blog from the Etsy shop, a life through the lens. I got to chose a 5x7 print & here's the one I picked out:

[via]

Because life really is about the little things... :)

 ** I can also knock another item off on my 30 before 30 list as well (#28)! **

Fill in the Blank Friday

It's been a while since I've linked up for Lauren's "Fill in the Blank Friday". I thought it would be fun to join in again, so here it goes:

[via]

1.  I am currently obsessed with my camera! Seriously ever since I upgraded to the Canon Rebel from a point and shoot, I can't stop snapping pictures of everything!

2.  Today I am happy because I get to see Luke tonight & I get to spend some time with my favorite girlfriends at Gina's baby shower this weekend!

3.  The age I am is 28 and the age I feel is roughly 30. Blah. Lately I feel like I'm such an old lady, going to bed early & staying in at night more frequently. I still manage to hang out with my friends, bf, family & make it to the gym a few times a week - but the days of going out every other night are long behind me. Oh ages 19-26 how much I miss you!

4.  My favorite place is my bed (lately). It's so warm & cozy. It's where I go to get a good nights sleep and re-charge my energy.

5.  Something I have been procrastinating is organizing my apartment! I am usually a very organized person, but lately I've been slacking...

6.  The last thing I purchased was a new starter for my car. Okay, that is the most boring answer ever. Let's go with, new picture frames I bought for the picture art that I collect from my travels to different cities. I got my Savannah & Miami pictures all framed up & ready to hang on the wall!

7.  The thing I love most about my home is ehhhh nothing. My current apartment is so tiny & it feels temporary (which is not a feeling I love about a home). The only good thing about it is that it's in the city. I live in Queen Anne (same neighborhood as the space needle) & it takes me no time at all to get downtown, or anywhere for that matter.

Link up with Lauren over here!

Happy Friday! :)

a lil Q & A time

The sweet blogger, Jillian, from Cornflake Dreams tagged me in a survey! I thought it would be fun to fill out, as I've loved reading these from other bloggers! Hope you enjoy!

 -- Q & A --

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A mind free of worries. Surrounded by loved ones. Enjoying a home-cooked meal. Sipping on a refreshing drink. Sunshine.

What is your greatest fear?
Losing someone that is close to me.


Which figures do you most identify with?
People that stick up for themselves & what they believe in.


What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Sometimes I am so ocd about the little things. I cannot sleep if there is something else on my bed other than my blanket and pillow. I cannot go to sleep with a messy room. I wont cook a meal unless all the dishes are washed and put a way first. And the list goes on...


What is the trait you most deplore in others?
People that are dishonest. I've never understood how people can be like this. 

What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty & loyalty. AND a good time :) 

What words or phrases do you most overuse?
ugh.

What is your favorite journey?
The journey I am on now :)

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

People that are too honest, to the point of hurting your feelings.


What is your favorite occupation?
I really admire people that work in non-profits. Non-profits are such amazing organizations that rely on people with huge hearts.


What do you dislike most about your appearance?
As I get older my body takes a more womanly shape. I miss the days when my hips were smaller. *sigh*


What is your greatest regret?
I don't have any regrets. There are things I wish I could've done differently, but I can't say that I've ever regretted anything.


What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Luke. (insert big smile here!)


If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To care less about what others think.


Where and when were you happiest?
Anywhere with Luke.


What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
I've worked really hard in my career. Early on, I put in a lot of hard work & I still continue to work hard. My career is really important to me.


What is your most treasured possession?
Monkeykey. My little stuffed toy from my childhood.


What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Losing a loved one.


Where would you like to live?
Where do I begin?! On the list is: San Francisco, Portland, Chicago, Boston, Charleston, etc... My dream (& I know this is not feasible) would be to spend a few years in every city that I love, just moving from place to place.

I do have to tell you, when I see a breathtaking picture of San Francisco, sometimes my heart skips a beat. I don't know what it is about this city, but it holds a little spot in my heart.

What is your most marked characteristic?
I try to be optimistic and positive as often as possible :)


What is your greatest extravagance?
Designer purses. I have  lot. A few from Juicy Couture, a few more from Kate Spade, a lot more from Coach... I can't help it!


What are the qualities you most like in a man?
A sense of humor! & someone that is genuine.


Who are your favorite writers?
Sophie Kinsella.


How would you like to die?
It the most peaceful way possible. And preferably after living a long and fulfilled life, please.


Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
 Okay, keep this in mind before you read my answer, that this is based on the books I read (like super girly, fluffy, chick-lit books)... My hero of fiction would be the main character from the Devil Wears Prada. She works under some less than desirable conditions, but tries to make the best of it. She sticks up for herself in the end & ends up benefiting from it.


Who are your heroes in real life? 
My mom & dad. They are the best people I know, hands down.


What is your motto?
Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering. (I've always loved this quote. It's always inspired me to keep my camera w. me as often as possible.)

[all images via]

If you want to do this survery, too, Please do!

Happy Day

Did you know...

That today is...

 National Margarita Day!

[via]

Go celebrate tonight with a delicious refreshing drink! :)

weekend pix

breakfast: frittata w. basil roasted potatoes, roasted tomatoes, green onions, dill & cheddar cheese
lunch: roasted turkey sandwiches w. sun-dried tomato pesto & gorgonzola cheese. chilled cucumber soup w. pineapple sauce. 

A fun date night out in Bellevue - dinner at Z Tejas - yummy chips&salsa, cornbread, seafood enchiladas, stuffed chicken breasts & a peach cobbler to go!


I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend, too!

toast both sides of the bread with your choice of toppings
place one side on top of the other
cut diagonally, flip one half over
♥

six confessions

I've seen some bloggers out there doing the "six confessions" post & after reading a few, I decided to do one myself! Here it goes...

[via]

(one)

 I love my friends more than they will ever know & think about them often. I've lived in a few different cities over the past five years & have picked up some amazing people along the way. Even though I might not see all of my friends on a regular basis, I think about them all the time! I wish I was better at letting them all know how much I love them.

(two)

Sometimes I have dance parties in my car, by myself. I love music, all different kinds. It just puts me in a good mood. I am usually awalys in the mood to dance, so I do little moves with my hands to the music. Super corny, I know!

(three)

When I find something that I like, I get obsessed with it. Like the first time I discovered panang curry, I wanted to eat it every day (I actually had it a few times a week for a while...) When I got my new camera, I took pictures of EVERYTHING. When I get a new nail polish I only paint my nails in that color, over & over & over again... I get so obsessed with little things!

(four)

I would love to own my own Etsy shop! I am so impressed with what people are able to create & how successfull some people have become with homemade items. The only problem is... I don't really make anything, or don't know how to... :-/

(five)

I hate my legs! I've been going to the gym A LOT & I've been trying to eat better, but have yet to see any results... This frustrates me beyond belief. My goal is to have "sexy summer legs" when the warmer weather hits the NW, but this goal seems a lot harder to acheive than I thought. In college I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted, go to the gym a few times & then easily get in shape. Now the tables have turned & it's hard!

(six)

People think that I go on a lot of vacations. I don't think that I go on enough. I get cabin fever so easily. I always have an itch to get out of my routine & see new things & visit people! I just wish I made more money to extend my travels internationally...

♥ ♥ ♥

I love learing about people that read my blog, & I love learning about the people behind the blogs that I read! If you do this feature [or something like this], let me know! I'd love to get to know you!

My newest plane ticket is to...

Nashville, TN!

But... right after I land, I'm picking up my rental car & driving to Murray, Kentucky. Luke's grandma lives there & I'm meeting up with them so we can all drive over to... 

Sikeston, MO!

For Luke's cousins wedding!

I have always wanted to spend some time in Nashville & it looks like we'll only have about a day there... The purpose of this trip is solely for his family. It will be fun to meet his grandma & his cousin. Luke's aunt, uncle & other cousin, Jenni, live in Vancouver, so I see them ALL the time when I visit Luke in Portland... So I am excited to see the other part of the family that I hear so much about!

So, has anyone ever been to rural Missouri/rural Kentucky? I have an aunt & uncle that live about an hour away from where we're staying [in Fulton, KY, on a strawberry farm], so I'm going to try & meet up with them!

BUT let me share with you the only information I have been given about where were headed...

- I've heard that you can go to a bar & if you don't finish your beer they give you a "to-go" cup for the ride home....

- I've also heard stories of men driving their trucks & then pulling over to the side of the road to get a new beer from the cooler in the bed of their truck...

- The claim to fame in Sikeston, MO is Lambert's Cafe. If you're a Food Network/Travel Channel junkie like me, then you might have seen this place featured on "The Worlds Best Places to Pig Out".

- The wedding we're going to is catered by Applesbee's & Buffalo Wild Wings [this is either A. Amazing or B. Awful] I personally love BWW, so I'm excited!

--- --- ---

Should I be scared or excited based on the above facts? 
I almost cannot believe that I just wrote this post either. It is a far cry from the life I live in the city of Seattle...

a day of love.

~H♥PPY VALENTINES D♥Y~

I really like this day, I don't know why but I do. I have never been that girl that is anti-Valentines day. Even when I was single I didn't mind this love-filled day. I am not an overly romantic person, but I do enjoy a good overdose of love from time to time. I've never felt the pressure to do something romantic & would never expect/demand anything in return on this day. Instead, I've just always thought of Valentines Day as a day to do something fun with the one you love. And if you're single, just do something fun with the friends you love! See, love love love!
 

We tend to be rather private with our lovely feelings & that's the way we like to keep it. It's something special that only him & I share. I'm not a "share-every-annoying-detail-on-facebook-and-twitter-kind-of-girl"... but in honor of it being Valentines Day, this is my free pass to be all lovey-dovey today! One day, people! Plus, I wont get to see Luke today [darn long-distance relationship] so I wanted to share all my favorite pictures of the two of us:

can you tell that we like to make silly faces... :)

So there it is, my overload of love!

Happy Valentines Day, everyone!
(i'm a very lucky girl :)

♥♥♥

weekend pix

This past weekend Luke came up to visit & we spent our time at my parents house. It was a wonderful weekend of food (lots of food), puppy play time, movie watching, a quick morning run & lots of relaxing... :)

Lots of food! Lobster tails - mojito shrimps - sweet potato gnocchi - cheddar biscuits - spinach salad w. blue cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts & strawberry vinaigrette & then nap time! :)

counting down until the weekend

It seems as though I'm always counting down to the weekend these days...

Luke is coming up for the weekend & we're spending the weekend at my parents house in Gig Harbor. I always look forward to my weekends with Luke [that's kinda all that you have when you're in a long distance relationship & you both work Mon-Fri]. I've been thinking about the weekend all week & here's what we're gonna do:

-- Make lots of yummy food [think grilled shrimps... sweet potato gnocchi... these cute pancakes...]

-- Make fun, fun artsy & crafty things with my mom [okay, Luke will prob. just hang out with the dad during this time... hehe]

-- Play with the baby puppy

-- Maybe we'll go see a movie...

-- Celebrate Valentines Day on Sunday - because we wont see each other on Monday...

Sometimes this long distance business really gets to us. After 2 years we just want to be in the same town & see each other all the time. *Someday* For now, we're just happy that the distance isn't farther [like say a plane ride away]. We'll figure it out soon, hopefully. Maybe I just need to keep reminding myself of this quote...

us - during a great weekend in Denver last year

 Hope everyone else has a great weekend!

:)

MORE things to love @ Kate Spade

 I'm loving e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g over at Kate Spade right now. Especially these cute e-cards they have for Valentines Day!

 I sent this [early] Valentines day card over to Luke. You should stop by the Kate Spade website to see lots of other clever [& cute] cards to send to your sweetheart! :)

♥ ♥ ♥

Loving things @ Kate Spade

Have you checked out the online book over at Kate Spade? 
Stop on over & check out their clever little book dedicated to things that they love!
I'm loving the bright colors mixed with the timeless Kate Spade style, but,
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves... 

 Aren't all of their favorite things adorable? Such great (& bright) inspirations for this spring!

weekend pix

We had the most wonderful weekend in my favorite city [Portland, of course!]. We were lucky to be surrounded with great friends, family & some amazing food & wine. On Saturday it was my uncle Randy's birthday & we ventured down to Salem to celebrate! My [very talented chef] cousin James was in town from Philadelphia & he prepared an amazing tasting menu for dinner. Combined with loving family & their good friends, we had one of those evenings that you never want to end. <3

egg-in-bread breakfast.

pretty flowers for our dinner hosts.

an Oregon malbec & Mo's clam chowder. only the best.

SPINACH. roasted cauliflower vinaigrette. bacon. pickled shallot.

MUSHROOMS. hazelnut cornbread. arugula.

GNOCCHI. brown butter. brussels.

COD. roasted fennel. blood orange pickle.

PORK RIB. cider. bean + bacon. kale.

cute quotes on the place cards.

james. me. abby - cousins!

cute place cards.

me & Luke.

BANANA. ginger. chocolate shortbread. - a sweet ending to a great evening!

how cute is this?

I am such a sucker for cute things.

How cute is this champagne bottle accessory "table for two"?

[via]

i get excited about little things...

Today I made my first purchase on Etsy! 

I have been browsing this site for months & months & I finally decided to take the plunge & just make a purchase already! [and I might be addicted now...]

This morning, while doing my daily check of the blogs that I follow, I noticed that Sandy al a Mode was doing a giveaway with one of her sponsors to win a ruffle necklace from Meg's shop, Pretty Things by Meg. I went to look at the other items that she had in her shop & fell in love with these turquoise earrings [below] & couldn't resist the peach ruffle necklace, either [also below]!

It just so happens that my current favorite color combination is turquoise & peach... So it's a perfect fit!

Check out Meg's Etsy shop for tons of other pretty little things that she makes!

Booked!

I just booked my flight for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for Kev & Michelle's wedding this July! I love having a trip to plan & look forward to!

We plan on staying a few extra days and heading down to Miami, too!

:)

 [via]

love day inspirations

It's February 1st, Valentines Day is right around the corner & I've been seeing "love stuff" pop up everywhere! I see stuff in my e-mail, on blogs, on twitter, in stores, etc... You name it, it's there! I even stated seeing Valentines Day stuff at Target when I was Christmas shopping! I'm usually not a huge fan of buying Valentines Day related items because you use it for one day & then the holiday is over. But I've come across a few things that I could definitely use for love day & beyond! Here's the love stuff that's been catching my eye lately...

This gift set is from one of my favorite wineries, Sokol Blosser. The Meditrina wine is delicious & it comes with a special chocolate sauce, yum!
[via]

I LOVE the cute lobbys! I would totally buy these cards & send out to friends & family (or just keep to myself!)
[via]

This item might have some extra special meaning to me & luke... I randomly found it on Etsy & totally added it as a favorite!
[via]

Love photos!
[via]

And because I am obsessed with my cammy, these tiny camera&heart stud earrings are too cute for love day!

[via]

and last but most certainly not least...  a flourless chocolate truffle torte - the perfect way to end love day <3

[via]

What do you all have planned for love day?