a little gratitude post.

dear christmas, thank gawd you're almost here. i've been waiting for you for, well.... a year.

dear feet, you've taken me so many places and continue to support me in all kinds of awesome yoga poses. i love you.

dear yoga students, thank you for letting me teach you. i have so much fun. p.s. i'm learning just as much as you are.

dear coffee, you rock my world.

dear bestest friends, you know who you are. what would i do without your sweet snail mail, make-up parties, craft dates, noodle heart-to-hearts, phone conversations that last for hours, and all of you just being your fabulous selves?

dear camera, i love having you around. you remind me to really look.

last but not least...

dear husband, thank you for making me laugh every. single. day. you so funny. also, thank you for still writing me little love-notes. i adore that they're getting longer and your hand writing is getting smaller.

dear you, thank you for reading and being a part of my little space on the web. high five.

happy thanksgiving! xo.

(photo credit: indierocket)

the positives.

so, as some of you know, this week was a little bit blergy for me. nothing in particular happened; just lots of little things added up.

well, poor simon had to hear me whine all week, so when he came home last night he immediately launched the "grumpiness recovery program."

part one, focus on the positives:

1. we are planning a mini-moon to chicago next month. we're going to explore the windy city for a few days and eat our weight in pizza. (chicago recommendations welcome!)

2. tomorrow we are going to visit some friends who have a new puppy. i can't wait to meet him.

3. whenever we talk about growing old together, simon busts out this heavy new england "old man" voice and talks about "kids these days". it makes me laugh so hard. i love him.

part two is to have fun: we're going to eat mexican food tonight, watch a silly movie tomorrow, take lots of pictures and maybe, just maybe... bake some red velvet cupcakes.

(photo credit: antufev)

guess who i met today...

...celia!

i flew to los angeles this morning (it's oh so sunny here - huzzah!) and this evening celia and i met up for some wine and snacks. we shared a couple of fabulous hours chatting about everything under the sun, and it was really amazing to meet a fellow blogger face to face.

celia is exactly like her blog: sweet, beautiful, stylish and down to earth. celia, thank you so much for our lovely time together. you seriously rock.

now i am off to sleep diagonally in my hotel bed. i hope you are all having a good start to the week.

night night!

engagement photos!

a few weeks ago, we met up with our wedding photographer, meredith, and took these pictures in a park near our home. it was so much fun.

meredith is not only sweet, but she's also super talented. we played around with a chalkboard a little and then just took advantage of the setting sun. (oh and in case you're wondering..."jeg elsker deg" is norwegian for "i love you".)

my favorite part about this whole experience was seeing how well meredith captured us as a couple, and how comfortable we felt with her. i can't wait for the big day...!

p.s. i was feeling a little shy telling you all this, but these pictures were also featured on ruffled! whoa.

p.p.s. i felt like i was wearing so much makeup, (in fact, i put on much more than i wear on a daily basis) and yet, i still look like i'm not wearing any... haha. is it just me, or does this happen to you too?

(all photos courtesy of and unlimited photography)

speaking of wine...

simon and i feel incredibly lucky to have found and be working with our wedding photographer, meredith of andunlimited photography, so we brought her a little thank you gift on saturday.
i didn't have a wine tote or anything else snazzy to decorate it in, so i just used some things i had around the house (kraft paper, ribbon, baker's twine and other miscellaneous things in my craft closet).

when she got home, she photographed it. i just love her style and the way she captures details, don't you? (click on image to see it larger.)

thanks again, meredith!

p.s. engagement pictures coming to the blog very soon!

happy monday!

good morning, loves! how are you?

sorry i was away yesterday, but simon and i spent a long weekend in maine. it was so nice to be snuggled up by the fire and playing with the dogs...

now i am back to work, with french vanilla coffee in hand and my space heater on. it's definitely fall!

first things first: the winner of the beautiful art from last week is... elizabeth from oh eliza! congratulations! :) thanks to everyone for participating and providing such great comments. piia is so grateful and happy for all the positive feedback.

second, i want to say a special welcome to all of my new readers! yay! you are all so lovely for supporting this journey of mine, and reading my little posts. you truly make my day. thank you for being here!

i have some fun posts for you later today, so stay tuned. :)

(photo credit: concrete and honey)

happy weekend!

my top ten favorite things, at the moment:

1. dog shows like the dog whisperer and it's me or the dog.

2. washing my face the second i get home from work instead of right before bed.

3. chilly mornings.

4. playing scrabble with simon on our iphones all day long.

5. looking forward to the end of the october when my best friend will visit!

6. being able to say things like: "our kids are going to be wicked cute."

7. smoothies.

8. roasted and salted sunflower kernels.

9. amazing marriage advice from joanna's blog.

10. the rare occasion when my golf swing rocks.

have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

(photo credit: yuli.bow)

life lesson # 3

i am a huge crier. frankly, it's a little embarrassing. but what i have discovered is that a simple hug can make all the difference. even if whatever is upsetting me is still my reality, a hug makes me feel loved and safe. and ultimately that hug comforts and empowers me enough that i can start to rationally solve the problem...

so, if you ever see me crying, wrap your arms around me and squeeze, ok?

my weekend!

on saturday we were by the ocean in maine and suddenly my love uttered those four little words: "will you marry me?" yes! (of course.)

being the genius that he is, simon planned the surprise perfectly and it truly was the best day of my life. both sets of parents were nearby and enveloped us in hugs. and then we celebrated with champagne.

we are so excited, and i'm already calling him my "fancy".