necessities

as i'm glancing through the mail at work, what do I happen to come across? ...

the newest j. crew catalog and the beautiful feb. 2010 pottery barn catalog. these two things are very dangerous for someone like myself.

#1 it reminds me of the projects i have left 'on hold' at my house. blahh

#2 it gives me ideas for more projects i just don't have time for.

#3 it makes me want to shop and spend lots and lots of money.

hmmm what's a girl to do?


i really need all of these things in my kitchen...really.




ohhh pottery barn. why are you so perfect?


and then there's a little something called j. crew.


these are called pixie pants. and i really need them.








not to mention urban outfitters and american apparel are right outside my window...gawking at me.

hmmm what's a girl to do?
:)

fun weekend.

i loved this weekend SO much, i didn't want it to end.

we went shopping, went to the movies (couldn't even remember the last movie i saw), went out with some dear old friends of mine (who i've been missing like crazy lately), went hiking at piestewa peak...and most importantly - RELAXED and watched movies in bed. seriously-

the best weekend ever.

this last month has been AWESOME- so many great things have happened/are happening - i will post some holiday stuff soon. for now - the most recent pictures i have on my camera are from our hike at piestewa peak. it was such a gorgeous day.

seriously. such a fun weekend. :)

SNOW + NYE

patrick and i had a snow day of our own. loved being in the mountains for the day. plus we hit up the outlets on the way home.
banana republic outlet...
I <3 you!!!!










we spent new years downtown - had a BLAST!
our fifth new years together -
so special;)

5 things . . .

. . . i am lovin' on before work this morning :


1. my strawberry yogurt parfait with homemade honey almond granola (very easy to make - and yummy)


2. sufjan steven's Christmas Album (love - love - LOVE this!)

3. this picture i took from last weekend.
~i seriously have the cutest nieces and nephews~

4. the quietness of our house - with no dogs barking.
(bruiser ate his muzzle . . . but he's surprisingly being quiet this morning. maybe that's not a good thing . . . )


5. okay - this picture too (patrick would be #5 but he's gone off to work already;)

~sister in laws~
:)

it's official

I have officially retired my:



for:



just for the season. my island slippers are the BEST sandals. they better last me one more summer...and of course, there is my undeniable love/obsession with my uggs:)

arizona winters are the best.

IDAHO

Patrick and I are SO LUCKY to have such wonderful family. Last month, we visited TJ and Adelia in Eagle, Idaho - MY FIRST TIME IN IDAHO! They were so generous to invite us up, and let me just say - they are AMAZING Hosts! Their home is BEAUTIFUL, and their town is JUST GORGEOUS! I loved every minute of it. I know Patrick loved spending time and being SILLY with his older brother:) . . . and I just LOVE ADELIA (And the kiddos too of course!!:) She is such an amazing woman/wife/mom/ECT!! I really look up to her. AND I cannot believe how fast Alex, Jaden, and Paxton are GROWING UP -They are too adorable for their own good. We love and miss this beautiful family SOOOO MUCH!!!

TJ and Adelia -THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!:)


The beautiful Brown Home



The pond in their neighborhood - GORGEOUS VIEW!!

going fishing






Alex


Jaden

Paxton


TRAIN



i love this one:)





Oh Idaho. . .WE MISS YOU ALREADY!!!!

MAUI

ALOHAAAAA!!!! We're back! Back to the heat...back to crazy busyness...back to reality. NO FUN. haha

Well- we went to Maui for two weeks with my family, and it was PERFECT! We started the trip just pretty much RELAXING - and then we did attempt to be adventurous. There were a lot of beach days, snorkeling, parasailing, and of course - laying out and EATING...A LOT! We did, for the first time, go up Haleakala, a dormant volcano. We all got up at 2 am (believe it or not) and drove up to the top to watch the sunrise. It was -without a doubt- one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. You are literally above the clouds watching the sun make its first appearance. Absolutely INCREDIBLE. Photography has been something I've been into lately..still learning and have A LOT to learn of course! But here are some pictures from our trip :)
(WARNING - PICTURE OVERLOAD!!)

















OKAY- So these are of Haleaka - the sunrise







As the sun was coming up, a native tribe nearby sang a chant "welcoming the sunrise." It was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. Something I will remember forever.