on top of the world.

whenever i feel the slightest bit discouraged about life, all i have to do is look at this picture of my parents.

it reminds me that as long as we have someone in your lives that make us radiate and laugh this much... everything else will work itself out.

happy monday, everyone!

p.s. i also love that my parents look so norwegian. i think i need one of those sweaters.

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)

books books books.

good morning, friends!

today i am off to new york city for 48 hours. in addition to seeing a dear friend and getting lots of work done, i have one priority: a few hours at the strand bookstore.

in case you've never been, strand books is a huge store filled with overstock, used, rare, and out-of-print books... in other words, heaven on earth.

when i was in college and living in downtown manhattan, i used to roam around the store for hours: smelling the old books, flipping through literary anthologies and looking for hidden gems.

i haven't been back in ten years, (let's ignore how old that makes me...) and i can't wait! now, if only i had an adorable little book nook like the one above to enjoy my books when i come home...

now tell me, do you have a favorite book store? if so, where is it and what do you love about it? i'd love to hear.

(photo credit: the selby, via sfgirlbybay)

my favorite christmas flicks.

every year i love to curl up on the couch and watch the same holiday movies over and over again. they really make me happy.

(i know some of these are only loosely related to the holidays, but hey... i still love them!)

what are your favorites?

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!

happiness is...

... pumpkin beer and listening to the radio.

... fresh brewed coffee and discovering gorgeous vintage typewriters in second hand shops.

... the smell of clean laundry and bundles of yarn (in our wedding colors no less).

what has been making you happy lately?

(photo credits: the cheshire smile, sandra juto, ta, perfect bound, nevara, and britt - cucumbersome)

life lesson # 4

my dolls, take it from me-- a recovering people pleaser-- it's time to stop worrying about what other people think.

i have to say, one of my favorite things about getting older is that the urge to make everyone around me happy is losing steam. i don't know how or why it happens, but it just does.

one day you wake up and think to yourself: "wait a second! this is MY life."

and from that moment on, you begin the journey of loving your own ideas, your own instincts, and your own decisions.

and in case you were worried... somehow, miraculously, you still end up nurturing, adoring, and taking care of the people you love. and you still want them to be happy... but you do it effortlessly, and without resentment. you do it because you want to.

it's pretty cool.

so, tell me, are you a people pleaser?

some day...

... i hope simon and i have our own little pumpkin.

(photo credit: i saw today)

a little wedding inspiration to brighten your thursday...

i have one word to describe this couple: hot! i love her messy bun and the fact that she's not wearing much make-up. i also adore the suit that the groom is wearing.

is it just me, or are they ridiculously gorgeous? :) what a setting... swoon.

(all photos are by the talented, lovely margaret singer)

sweet morning.

just some tranquil images to help you through your busy morning.

(photo credits: sunnybrook farm designs)

gris bleu

i can't read a single word on this french blog, but gosh darn it, it doesn't even matter. the photography is crazy beautiful. to see more go here.

wow.

craving cozy.

this morning was a wee bit emotional and stressful for me. for reasons that are both silly and justifiable, i suddenly felt my eyes welling up.

so, my friends and i went for a quick starbucks run. their company along with a pumpkin spice latte cheered me right up.

that's not to say, that i wouldn't feel even better if i could also put on some sweat pants and snuggle with a cat or dog...

too cute, huh?

so, tell me, what do you do when you want to be comforted and cozy?

sipping yumminess,

(photo credits: ug and dream beam)

on being a wife.

i've been through many phases in my life, but i never imagined that i would be as excited as i am about being a wife. i consider myself a feminist, but the more i think about marrying simon, the more i realize how much i am looking forward to everything that is traditionally considered "domestic".

i would love to have a kitchenaid, maybe even a yellow one. i want to sew things. i want to be in charge of our family photo albums, and christmas traditions, and buying pumpkins every halloween.

i want to cook deliciously healthy meals, bake birthday cakes and most importantly, eat them with my husband. and perhaps most surprising of all... i am head over heels excited to take simon's last name.

i guess being a real feminist means being able to do whatever you want to do. and as it turns out... what i want to do is be very married. :)

so, to those of you who are wives, i would love to hear your thoughts... how has being married changed you? and what has surprised you the most?

p.s. joanna is currently featuring a series called secrets to happy marriages. i am loving it; check it out.

(photo credit: oh my deer)

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".

life lesson # 2

i tried my first zumba dance class last night, and it was so much fun! i think shaking my booty is one of my favorite things in the world.

do you like dancing? have you ever tried zumba?