Rob and I are so excited to have all of our friends over this year. Our house is itsy - bitsy, so we'll be taking the dinner and party out on the back patio. I pray it doesn't rain!
Now I need to go find where I can buy a million cranberries.
Navigation
   |
    |
A Cranberry Christmas
I'm in full Christmas party planning mode and using none other than Pinterest to get me inspired. I've surprisingly decided on a cranberry theme:
Rob and I are so excited to have all of our friends over this year. Our house is itsy - bitsy, so we'll be taking the dinner and party out on the back patio. I pray it doesn't rain!
Now I need to go find where I can buy a million cranberries.
Rob and I are so excited to have all of our friends over this year. Our house is itsy - bitsy, so we'll be taking the dinner and party out on the back patio. I pray it doesn't rain!
Now I need to go find where I can buy a million cranberries.
Giving thanks
I woke up, pet-sit and did a 65-minute high-impact cardio class at the gym and am feeling GOOD! I am so ready to eat a big Thanksgiving feast today with our family and am feeling so incredibly blessed for this life that's been given to me. I thank God for all he's provided and know he's watching over me, especially while I drive. I'm so thankful to have such wonderful people in my life.
This year I'm especially thankful for my adorable second cousins! I had the pleasure of seeing them just a couple of weeks ago on my trip home to see my family in Michigan.
This is Larry, my cousin Nichole's little bear. He's so perfect, and smart, and independent. And very loving! So happy I got to see him 2 days in a row.
And this is Brody, my cousin Chad's little man. He is so lovable and kissable! We got to spend a whole afternoon with him and we had a blast. I must say I now have extreme baby fever because of this little thing.
I love these babies so much!
I wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving with your loved ones!
This year I'm especially thankful for my adorable second cousins! I had the pleasure of seeing them just a couple of weeks ago on my trip home to see my family in Michigan.
This is Larry, my cousin Nichole's little bear. He's so perfect, and smart, and independent. And very loving! So happy I got to see him 2 days in a row.
Don't we look like sisters? ;)
And this is Brody, my cousin Chad's little man. He is so lovable and kissable! We got to spend a whole afternoon with him and we had a blast. I must say I now have extreme baby fever because of this little thing.
I love these babies so much!
I wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving with your loved ones!
Finally
I just had a very needed conversation with a good friend and my heart is finally at peace. I love this feeling, but I HATE the crying that came with it. Our tears were much needed, but it was still sad. It just reminds me how important communication is between friends. Sometimes I would rather hide my feelings than say anything that might hurt someone else's feelings. But I think it was time to really get it all out, because ultimately you'll find how similar you really are. How their challenges and faults are the same as yours.
I hope that if any of you are feeling conflicted with a friendship that you speak from the heart instead of holding it all in, like I did with this friend. I learned my lesson and think things could have been resolved a lot sooner if I had just scheduled a lunch to talk. Silly me. I'm a little ashamed actually for avoiding her and swallowing my feelings. For not being more honest.
I can now go to sleep tonight knowing that our friendship is still intact and that we both still care so much. That our friendship lives on as strong as ever.
I hope that if any of you are feeling conflicted with a friendship that you speak from the heart instead of holding it all in, like I did with this friend. I learned my lesson and think things could have been resolved a lot sooner if I had just scheduled a lunch to talk. Silly me. I'm a little ashamed actually for avoiding her and swallowing my feelings. For not being more honest.
I can now go to sleep tonight knowing that our friendship is still intact and that we both still care so much. That our friendship lives on as strong as ever.
Lately
Now that the weather has finally cooled down, I've been on a running kick. Running is the best in Arizona when it hits the 70s. I haven't ran this much in A WHILE, and my calves are in pain.
I've been having the itch to shop lately, too. Which isn't good or smart, with Christmas right around the corner. Although, I HAVE started Christmas shopping!
Some of my splurges include:
These adorable bowls that I picked up at the Sweet Salvage Holiday Antique Boutique in Phoenix. They're a grey/white color, which is perfect since I love grey.
Western looks. Found this skirt and these earrings at Francesca's on the sale rack.
Classes at Ballet Fusion. Bought 5 classes for $10 off Living Social and can't wait to try it out!
p.s. I have a little over a month to get my 12 before 2012 done. AGH!!!!!!!! I'll have lots of posts coming up on my progress. Stay tuned...
I've been having the itch to shop lately, too. Which isn't good or smart, with Christmas right around the corner. Although, I HAVE started Christmas shopping!
Some of my splurges include:
These adorable bowls that I picked up at the Sweet Salvage Holiday Antique Boutique in Phoenix. They're a grey/white color, which is perfect since I love grey.
Western looks. Found this skirt and these earrings at Francesca's on the sale rack.
Classes at Ballet Fusion. Bought 5 classes for $10 off Living Social and can't wait to try it out!
p.s. I have a little over a month to get my 12 before 2012 done. AGH!!!!!!!! I'll have lots of posts coming up on my progress. Stay tuned...
Venezia - Part 2
Now, back to Venice!
We woke up the second day to sunshine and blue skies. It was the perfect day to see the sights and take in more of the Venetian culture. First stop was St. Mark's Square and Basilica with a Rick Steve's Audio Tour.
Then we headed to the Rialto Bridge for lunch on the Grand Canal.
Best dessert I had the WHOLE trip.
After lunch we shopped. I loved all the window displays. This one made me wish we lived somewhere where I could wear fun gloves.
Doge's Palace was pretty amazing, too!
Is this what my future son will look like one day? Hahahaha
That evening we timed our gondola ride with the sunset and set out for the 45-min ride. I must say, it was probably one of the most romantic things I've ever done. Watching the moon, holding Rob's hand, resting my head on his shoulder, kissing under the Bridge of Sighs, the peaceful water... my heart was on overdrive. Then on our walk to dinner after Rob dipped me in St. Mark's Square for a kiss and I about passed out from the cheesy, romantic gesture. I really loved it actually.
If you're ever in Venice, I definitely recommend a gondola ride. Didn't get the best pictures though, sorry. Still learning to use my camera and wanted to enjoy the ride!
Leaving the next morning was really hard. I wasn't ready to leave the smell of the ocean, the pebble-stoned alley ways and bridges - the history.
We woke up the second day to sunshine and blue skies. It was the perfect day to see the sights and take in more of the Venetian culture. First stop was St. Mark's Square and Basilica with a Rick Steve's Audio Tour.
Then we headed to the Rialto Bridge for lunch on the Grand Canal.
After lunch we shopped. I loved all the window displays. This one made me wish we lived somewhere where I could wear fun gloves.
Doge's Palace was pretty amazing, too!
That evening we timed our gondola ride with the sunset and set out for the 45-min ride. I must say, it was probably one of the most romantic things I've ever done. Watching the moon, holding Rob's hand, resting my head on his shoulder, kissing under the Bridge of Sighs, the peaceful water... my heart was on overdrive. Then on our walk to dinner after Rob dipped me in St. Mark's Square for a kiss and I about passed out from the cheesy, romantic gesture. I really loved it actually.
If you're ever in Venice, I definitely recommend a gondola ride. Didn't get the best pictures though, sorry. Still learning to use my camera and wanted to enjoy the ride!
Leaving the next morning was really hard. I wasn't ready to leave the smell of the ocean, the pebble-stoned alley ways and bridges - the history.
Tattoo - yay or nay?
My 18-year old sister-in-law, Tayler, is getting a tattoo in December. And, I really want to go with her! If an 18-year old can do it, can't a 28-year old? It makes me a little sick to my stomach to think about, but I've always toyed with the idea. It would be great to go through the pain with someone I love.
I know what I want, but I'm not sure yet where to put it and in what font. I went searching for inspiration online for placement ideas.
You'll notice I'm leaning more towards a wrist or back placement. For the tattoo - I want to spell out "joy". 3 letters, very small, a good font that will last over the years and not mush together with fading, and just one color - black.
So, are tattoos all that painful? Tayler isn't even WORRIED about the pain and her tattoo plans are FAR MORE extreme than mine. She's going upper shoulder blade, with 4 lines of text!
Any advice or placement recommendations for the least amount of pain?
(Image sources: Google)
I know what I want, but I'm not sure yet where to put it and in what font. I went searching for inspiration online for placement ideas.
You'll notice I'm leaning more towards a wrist or back placement. For the tattoo - I want to spell out "joy". 3 letters, very small, a good font that will last over the years and not mush together with fading, and just one color - black.
If Lea Michele can sit through 10, I'm pretty sure I can sit through 3 letters.
So, are tattoos all that painful? Tayler isn't even WORRIED about the pain and her tattoo plans are FAR MORE extreme than mine. She's going upper shoulder blade, with 4 lines of text!
Any advice or placement recommendations for the least amount of pain?
(Image sources: Google)
Fall blogging party
My best friend Kristin and I LOVE to read blogs. We'd do it all day if we could. But there is just NOT enough time in the day and night to do so!
So... I came up with the idea of a Fall Blogging Party, where we could read blogs all night, watch Halloween movies and make some headway on our own blogs - all without being interrupted by our hubbies.
It was awesome.
Our Friday night started with take-out from Wildflower Bread Co., then Practical Magic, wine, Teen Witch, more wine, blogging and cookies!
I spent most of the night on these blogs:
We literally spent 6 hrs blogging! If you ever want an excuse to hang out with a girlfriend, make up a theme and formally invite her. It was silly to name our little get-together but we might make it a monthly/seasonal party! Let me know if you want to be invited to the next one!
So... I came up with the idea of a Fall Blogging Party, where we could read blogs all night, watch Halloween movies and make some headway on our own blogs - all without being interrupted by our hubbies.
It was awesome.
Our Friday night started with take-out from Wildflower Bread Co., then Practical Magic, wine, Teen Witch, more wine, blogging and cookies!
I spent most of the night on these blogs:
We literally spent 6 hrs blogging! If you ever want an excuse to hang out with a girlfriend, make up a theme and formally invite her. It was silly to name our little get-together but we might make it a monthly/seasonal party! Let me know if you want to be invited to the next one!
Venezia - Part 1
There is only one word I can think of when I look back at our time in Venice.
Venice wasn't originally in our itinerary, but we re-thought it, scratched Florence and booked two days in Venice instead! And I'm so happy we did. As soon as we arrived I was in love.
It was raining when we arrived via Easy Jet, but we didn't care the least. We were in VENICE!
As soon as our water taxi dropped us off at St. Mark's Square, we dropped our luggage off, went mask shopping and grabbed lunch in sandwich row (which was a street over from our hotel).
We checked into our hotel - Albergo Doni. It felt a little haunted to me, with the peeling, warped wall paper, red furniture, dark drapes, and gold accents.
Look at the canal right outside our hotel!
That night we put an extra layer on and set off for a real Venetian dinner - a pub crawl!!!
1st stop - Osteria il Milion: very hungry!
2nd stop - Rosticceria San Bartolomeo: satisfied, enjoying the 1.99 Euro glass of red wine.
3rd stop - Osteria Enoteca ai Rusteghi: ready to mingle! We met the nicest couple from Canada, the husband looked like Christopher Reeves!
4th stop - Osteria al Portego : dessert time, but with more wine.
Last stop - Bacaro Jazz: a funky jazz bar to get us silly ;)
We had so much fun that first night. It was relaxing to stroll, kiss in alley ways, and snuggle under an umbrella.
I didn't realize how many pictures I took in Venice until I started really going through them. So, I'm going to save day 2 for another post, or you wouldn't stop scrolling!
ROMANTIC.
Venice wasn't originally in our itinerary, but we re-thought it, scratched Florence and booked two days in Venice instead! And I'm so happy we did. As soon as we arrived I was in love.
It was raining when we arrived via Easy Jet, but we didn't care the least. We were in VENICE!
As soon as our water taxi dropped us off at St. Mark's Square, we dropped our luggage off, went mask shopping and grabbed lunch in sandwich row (which was a street over from our hotel).
We checked into our hotel - Albergo Doni. It felt a little haunted to me, with the peeling, warped wall paper, red furniture, dark drapes, and gold accents.
That night we put an extra layer on and set off for a real Venetian dinner - a pub crawl!!!
1st stop - Osteria il Milion: very hungry!
2nd stop - Rosticceria San Bartolomeo: satisfied, enjoying the 1.99 Euro glass of red wine.
3rd stop - Osteria Enoteca ai Rusteghi: ready to mingle! We met the nicest couple from Canada, the husband looked like Christopher Reeves!
4th stop - Osteria al Portego : dessert time, but with more wine.
Last stop - Bacaro Jazz: a funky jazz bar to get us silly ;)
We had so much fun that first night. It was relaxing to stroll, kiss in alley ways, and snuggle under an umbrella.
I didn't realize how many pictures I took in Venice until I started really going through them. So, I'm going to save day 2 for another post, or you wouldn't stop scrolling!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)