Friends, tell me your stories about big, difficult decisions you’ve made that have changed your life in an enormous way (and how it is working out/has worked out for you).
Or, tell me stories about how you conquered being overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of taking on a goal so massive (but perhaps, so fulfilling). The ups, the downs, the fears, the payoffs…
I’m thinking about (pretty sure I am) taking a big part of my life in a different direction, and I’m kind of freaked out. Also excited, but at the moment seem to be feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. Vague enough for you? Well, if it works out, you’ll find out eventually.* For now, I need your stories. So please, spill?
*No, it’s not a baby. We just got married, for crying out loud!
I haven’t really been caught up in all the Royal Wedding hoopla, and I definitely didn’t stay up to watch the event at 3am Los Angeles time, but did mean to record it… and forgot. I guess I was too caught up in my own special occasion with husband last night that it just slipped my mind (even while we were watching the worst movie in history…)
Thankfully, CNN had plenty of footage for me to comb over. All I really wanted to catch was the highlights – and can I just say – wow! Her dress? That is a stunning, stunning dress. It fit her so perfectly didn’t it? The wedding was romantic and beautiful of course – I can never really get over the sheer volume of people that camp out for these events. I loved seeing the little exchanges between William & Kate when the cameras couldn’t hear them talking. I also loved when darling Prince Harry said to his older bro, whose back was still turned as his bride walked down the aisle, ‘Wait until you see her.’ That Harry… he just gets me. I think it may be because he reminds me of my little brother, who is also red-headed and adorable.
Did you stay up to watch the wedding? What was your favorite part?
Thought I’d switch it up with a dog picture today just to prove that I love all animals, not just cats (though they are by far my favorite).
• Two years ago today, Julian and I went on our first date. We’re going back to the same restaurant tonight to celebrate, just like we did last year, and plan on doing every year for as long as we live in LA/remember to do so. Hah! It was a life changing night for me, so I don’t see how I could ever forget. Happy first date anniversary babe – I love you!
• OUR. NEW. BED. Think giant, fluffy pillow meets hotel bed meets something you see in a catalog… I LOVE it. It’s pretty life-changing. I don’t wake up in the middle of the night nearly as much as I did before, we have room to sprawl out, the cats love it, it looks gorgeous in our room, the only downside really is that I don’t ever want to get out of it.
• Receiving our very first wedding anniversary gift! My Grandma sent us a card and a copy of Bakerella’s Cake Pops book, which is so awesome! I’m thinking the book is more for me, as Julian probably won’t be spending much time assembling Cake Pops, but rather eating them. It’s hard to believe we’ll be celebrating our first anniversary (in Hawaii!) in just a week and a half. J and I were just saying how it really only feels like it’s been a few months since we got married – but when you look back at the past year, so much has happened. I hope the rest of our years together don’t fly by this fast!
• All the energy the cats have now that we’ve switched them completely off of all dry food/treats (they’re only eating Evo now) – Scout’s been going NUTS over her new cat nip mouse (named Virginia) like I’ve never seen her before. All my fellow cat lovers- I highly suggest you get yourself a copy of Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life by Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, DVM - and read up. It’s full of fantastic information and should be read by any and all cat owners. We also found a fantastic new vet, who I really really love, even if it is 30 min away!
Other fun things:
Pepper’s delicate little snores… she sounds like a little bird cooing, it’s freaking adorable • being able to eat sweets again (last night I had a cupcake and got such a sugar rush I felt like a hyper middle-schooler, quite annoying for the friends I was with) • getting along with my hubs BFF – let’s face it, we’d be in trouble if that weren’t the case • starting off my to-do list with the least appealing task… makes the rest sooo much easier • morning routines • remembering to take my vitamins • going for scenic bike rides around Hancock Park with my beau, looking at all the big pretty houses & dreaming about living in one • having pieces of art, candy dishes, and various other family heirlooms around the house to remind us of our family that have passed on • creating a million different Pinterest inspiration boards • late night cheese + crackers • having a million fun things already planned for the summer • board games of all kinds, but especially Scattegories • kitty kisses (it’s like a half-bite, but not painful) • having a 24/7 buddy by my side • this picture • hearing the sprinklers come on at night through our open bedroom window • consistently warm weather • the chips + salsa at El Compadre, which I think I enjoy more than the actual food • gifting my parents with tickets to see Wicked (a combo Mothers/Father’s Day gift) • being so excited about something that you spend all your time reading, researching, and learning – I am obsessed with learning about things, so this for me is really an enormous LOVE.
Photo: found on weheartit, but I’m not sure who the original owner is!CGK Photography (thanks, Cameron)
Happy Wednesday all! Today feels like the first day in forever that I don’t have an enormous to-do list, which is actually perfect timing because I’ve got exactly 12 hours to finish my library book before it is due back, and I’m only 1/5th the way through. Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Is it wrong to dedicate an entire day to reading in the middle of the week? A beautiful, sunny, “get outside and do something” Spring day, no less? A day when you’re sick, or when it’s gross outside, that’s one thing, but it just feels wrong on a day like today – unless of course you are reading outdoors. Or on a porch…
I wish. Enough rambling, Sarah. On with the list!
Now that Lent is over and we’re allowed to eat sweets again, I have been crushing hardcore on Fran’s smoked salt caramels. They’re a bit on the pricey side, but seriously one of the most delicious things EVER! Buy them as a treat for someone special.
I just discovered this blog, the rockstar diaries, through Gala Darling. I’ve only read a few posts but I’m already a big fan, 1 because they live in my hometown area (they live in Capitol Hill, I am from Northern Virginia), 2 because they’re an adorable young married couple, and 3 because they’re very stylish! I’m already wanting to grow my hair realllly long just by looking at a few of her pics. But I probably won’t. Oh yes, they also have a really beautiful baby & an English bulldog. Cayooot!
While at my (amazing) new vet this week, I bought a Sacred Mouse organic catnip mouse for my cat and she absolutely LOVES it! You have to get one for your fur kid – they’re made from all natural ingredients and benefit Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary. They’ve all got unique names, which is totally cute, and I happened to pick up one named Virginia, which is of course, where I’m from.
Guess what? My talented soapmaker Mom is doing a giveaway on DC wedding blog Capital Romance today – $50 worth of her handmade (and cruelty-free) soap, lip balms, scrubs, etc from her Etsy shop. All you have to do is leave a comment to win the gift certificate, and as I type this, there are only 8 comments, so your chances of winning are pretty high.
I’ve told you all before how huge a fan both myself and Julian are of her soap… it’s all we use! Now’s your chance to get some fo’ free. And how awesome would it be if someone who read her daughters blog was the winner? I’d be so proud. So go, enter to win! And when you do win, be sure to order her Bliss, Tranquil, Sunny, and Blueberry soaps. They are all favorites in our house.
Have I mentioned lately how great it is to have a Mom that makes soap? Last time I was home, I requested some lilac soap, and just like that she whipped some right up, even though it’s not in her usual lineup. It smells soooo amazing… just like Spring.
pictures of animals underwater (Julian emailed me that photo of the elephant above, I found the one of the polar bear below, and it is currently my wallpaper!) • art supply stores • friendly neighbors • fresh pale green & pink hydrangeas in mason jars and water pitchers – very Springy • cutting through your to-do list like a hot knife through butter • drinking lemon water all day long & dropping leftover lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to make the sink area smell nice (bet our landlord loves this) • the way Julian paces around the house/room/hallways nonstop while he’s on the phone – it’s borderline annoying but mostly I love it • witch hazel • Scout’s new habit of sleeping on the dining room chair next to mine – nothing more heartwarming than a cat who wants to be near you all the time • when my husband brings home teeny, tiny pineapples from the store because “it looks like Scoutie!” • toast with strawberry preserves • eating almost all the produce in our weekly delivery (trying not to be wasteful!) • booking an impromptu June trip to Chicago to visit friends & family! • Julian’s BFF coming in town today – he’ll be staying with us for about a week!
And finally… our NEW BED being delivered today! So, so, so excited for this! Plus, I get to go buy all new bedding… which is always a good time. Always.
Photos: I have no idea where the first one is from! I searched & searched but I can’t find it. If you know, please let me know! Oliver Blaise (thank you Megan!) / Mark Snelson
Greetings, friends & readers. Hope everyone is having a beautiful day – it’s sunny and breezy in Los Angeles, and I’ve got some especially delectable bites to make your fine Wednesday even better!
More Hunger Games casting news – ahh! This time, it’s Thresh and Rue from District 11. I approve these choices. Anyone else going nuts over knowing who will be cast as who? I’m on board with the picks for Katniss & Peeta, but I’m honestly not loving the choice for Gale.
We can all use this reminder every once in a while. If you love this, be sure to check out the print on Etsy! It comes in all sorts of lovely colors, if mustard yellow isn’t your thing. Happy Friday!
the end of tax season! • Sally Hansen Salon Effects polish strips – surprisingly, they work really well! (if only they came in better patterns) • impromptu dinners out with my babe • coral pink shorts • white ceramic bunny jewelry dishes • pretzel chips • playing hostess when Julian’s friends come over (I know I’m stuck in the 50s) • waking up with one cat on my head and the other pressed against my side • being not late to things • the way the light changes in a room when the clouds pass overhead • exciting new volunteer opportunities • nearly being done putting together our wedding album (only a year later!) • seeing cows and horses in pastures on road trips – seriously love this, I go nuts like a 4 year old • that first burst of sunshine and fresh air when I open the windows in the morning • lavender scented things • L’Occitane hand cream • Essie ‘Ballet Slippers’ • mixed fruit salad • daydreaming about living in a place with fresh air, green trees, and mountains… like NorCal, Montana or Colorado! • having a big ol’ stack of books to read and nothing stopping me from reading them these coming weeks • and finally….
…3 weeks (TO THE DAY!) until we leave for Hawaii!!
These gorgeous blue grizzly rooster earrings are amazing… if only I could pull this off. I LOVE that color. Bonus – not only are they cruelty free, but they were made by my dear brother’s talented girlfriend Amanda!
Anyone read The Money Book for Freelancers? I’m really intrigued, but then again I am a dork who likes to spend time reading about personal finance.
More about sugar toxicity by Gary Taubes (author of Good Calories, Bad Calories) – the jury is still out for me on this one, I don’t know enough to have an opinion for sure, but I do know we eat WAY too much sugar!
3 Steps to Make a Bad Day Good - I especially love the quote this post leads with, ““To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” ~Chuang-Tzu
Really, really loved the documentary Food Matters. It’s streaming on Netflix, you should watch it!
Oh yes, they also have a really beautiful baby & an English bulldog. Cayooot!
