getting ready for the new year

I have the entire week off of work which is completely exhilarating to me. I don't have many plans, just mainly drinking hot cocoa and doing some yoga. I just want to relax and replenish myself for the coming year ahead. 2010 was pretty eventful year for me. We are actually expecting our first baby in May of 2011. So right now I am half way there which is just crazy to me. 2011 is going to be filled with even more baby research, reading more books, shopping for baby clothes and baby furniture, and pretty much all things baby. My husband and I are beyond excited and can't wait to meet this little person. Tomorrow is actually the day we find out if baby is a boy or girl. So today and tomorrow afternoon will be filled with a lot of time distracting myself until my afternoon appointment. We just can't wait to find out!

Until then, I am going to be spending my time reflecting on 2010 and getting ready for 2011.

presents for me!

Just one of my fabulous presents from my amazing husband this year! It was a total surprise...even though I dropped a hint awhile back. Nothing better than a big chunky watch, especially in rose gold, which i adore!

photo from nordstrom.com

happy holidays!

hope you all had a lovely holiday :)

still here...

still here...just kinda went into hiding for awhile
I kinda got lost with keeping up with the blog...promise it won't ever happen again :)

Autumn in Paris

Today is just one of those days. I am really missing Paris and I am super ready for the cool fall weather that should be here any minute.

Last year at this time, my husband and I were preparing for our September wedding and our October honeymoon to Paris. It was such a busy time in our lives, but so exciting. We had so much to look forward to and so many new adventures ready to happen. We still have tons of adventures and special trips and our 1 year anniversary to celebrate. I am just feeling a little nostalgic I guess. Too bad we can't go to Paris to celebrate our 1 year of marriage! Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not complaining...the memories and the photos are so special to me. Plus we are preparing for a super fun trip to San Antonio. See, lots of crazy trips ahead :)

desert

photos from a trip to the Grand Canyon in September 2008

the favorites

I happen to love beauty products. These are just some of my favorite products that I use on a daily basis.
Korres Lip Gloss ( I use the light pink #11)
Make up Forever Powder (keeps everything in place)
Benefit Cream Shadow ( my favorite is Birthday Suit, a sheer shimmering nude...haven't used it in awhile...might have to go buy some!)
Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Shadow ( I love it in Platinum)
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer (perfection....covers any red marks or old acne scars)


*all images from Sephora.com

simplicity

more shots from the cleveland botanical gardens....

cleveland botanical gardens

red door

Airplanes

I would love to be heading to the airport and hopping on a plane to anywhere. It feels like it has been way too long since I have had a vacation.

summer green

summer fun

just felt like posting a summertime inspired photo...

photo is from a trip to Chicago...looking down from the ferris wheel on navy pier...one of my favorite places in the world

falling water

I want to go here.

Actually, I NEED to go here.

http://www.fallingwater.org/

A pretend Anthropologie shopping spree

If I were to go on an Anthropologie shopping spree, this is what I would buy. Although a shoppping spree rarely ever happens becasue just that necklace alone is $228...eeeek. Oh well, it's fun to just look and pretend

I love beauty products!

I am always on the look out for new products to line my bathroom sink with. I could basically live inside a Sephora. I spend most of my money buying and trying new beauty products. Ever since I was about 3 or 4 years old, experimenting with the good ol' 80's classic, Tinkerbell Makeup, to middle-school Wet n Wild makeup, I have always been intrigued by makeup, perfume, skin care, body wash, etc. I have decided to showcase some of my favorite stuff on here. So look out for The Favorites!

Feel free to comment your favorite stuff! I get really excited to discuss products!

Fresh is by far one of my favorite lines out there. I LOVE the sugar lemon perfume as well as the lotion, shower gel, and lip balm. It is such a light scent that isn't too citrusy ( I tend to favor more woodsy or musky scents). This one is just perfect for a light summer scent. I haven't tried their skin care line because I have a phobia of using oil based products on my face. I have to work really hard to not look like a 13 year old going through puberty. But maybe one day...

All this time away....

All this time away from blogging has really made me miss creating my own blog. Sometimes I get discouraged because I read so many beautiful blogs that are so creative, I sometimes feel like I can never match up to their creativeness/pure genius-ness. Instead of sulking about not matching up (which is ridiculous because every blog is so different and so inspiring), I am going to try my hardest to keep blogging and sharing photos and ideas. I am also in the process of possibly starting another blog. But we'll see :)

hello!

This morning, I decided to plug in my laptop just to look at some of my photos I have stored on here. Much to my surprise, Voila! The Internet is actually working! I can finally have my morning coffee and read all of my favorite blogs! It is definitely a lovely, lovely Sunday :)

It's been a whole month!

It's been a whole month since I have blogged! I am going to blame all of this on my laptop. It has decided to not want to connect to the Internet, and I have decided to give up. I tried and I tried and still, no Internet connection. My dear laptop is 5 years old which in computer world, that might mean 95 years old. I don't really know. So I have been currently using our big ol' desktop. I know some of my photos are on here, I just can't seem to find them. I am sorta what you call computer illiterate, unfortunately. Thankfully my husband is the super computer man around here :)

I have lots of photos I want to post and lots (I really mean LOTS) of thoughts swimming around my head too. I will be back soon....once I get a new laptop or become more comfortable with this computer!

summer....almost

I am soooo looking forward to picnics at the beach, new sandals, and warm weather. Although today is kinda rainy with random bursts of sunshine, the rest of the month seems like its going to be in the 80's with lots of sun.

Dear France,

I might be coming to see you again!

I came across a photography class on one of the blogs that I frequently read and just about gasped at how wonderful it sounded. 3 days of learning with two super-creative photographers, teaching us how to photograph portraits, landscapes, and the beauty that is France. Beynac, France to be exact. Castles built into cliffs? Oh my, that is Beynac! The movies Chocolat and Ever After were filmed there. Oh my heart is racing.

Photography is my favorite hobby, my passion I suppose. I love being behind the camera and capturing little things that maybe no one else notices. This trip would be combining my deep live of France and my creative side of photography. Should I go? eeeek!! I can't stop thinking about it! Now I just have to talk with the others that are going. Where are you fellow French-loving photographers? Let's chat!

This photo is from our hotel balcony on our amazing honeymoon. That's me....big smile and in awe of where I am. Kinda feeling like Carrie Bradshaw in Season 6 where she goes to Paris with the Russian and opens the french doors and looks right at the Eiffel Tower.

Its moments like these that make life so amazing.

saturday morning

coffee

the weekend is here!

finally! it's the weekend!
to do list:
friday night walk and house cleaning
manicure
lots of coffee and blog reading on saturday morning
saturday afternoon walk through the park (yay! good weather on the weekend!)
birthday fiesta for a lovely friend's little guy who just turned 1!
relaxing and watching movies in between all this other stuff!

happy weekend!