ME: where did you get a bandage??
JULIAN: toilet paper and scotch tape
My very own MacGyver.
No, it doesn’t include a forgotten anniversary, though both Julian and I have been guilty of this one on more than one occasion. My ultimate anniversary fail is a little more idiotic than that.
So I’m sitting here, penciling in a double dinner date with our friends Tracy and Matt for next week when I realize it might be a good time to start writing in our “monthiversaries.” You know, “happy seven months!” and what not. Yeah, we haven’t even been together a year yet. We did have a quite memorable six month anniversary back in November, complete with an overpriced dinner at a trendy LA restaurant, 3D movie at the theatre we went to on one of our first dates, flowers that cost more than a month’s groceries and a bottle of the perfume that reminds Julian of the first time he met me. So cute.
I was using that special date as a marker and started filling in the “eight month anniversary,” “nine month anniversary,” etc. on the 13th of every subsequent month. Until I got to 12 months. A full month (or two) ahead of our year anniversary, June 13, 2010. Had I missed a month? Flipped through my planner wrong? Everything seemed to check out.
Until I went back a little further, and realized that Julian and I had our big, fancy, expensive, romantic six month anniversary celebration on our five month anniversary.
What a couple of dorks. Who forgets how long they’ve been together not even five full months into a relationship? Granted, I do feel like I have known Julian my whole life and can’t believe it’s only been seven and a half months since we started officially dating (that is an accurate number, I triple-checked), but aren’t girls supposed to be somewhat obsessive over anniversaries and dates of this nature? Even in past relationships, I’ve always known exactly how long it has been. Why now? I guess I’m so head-over-heels that I can’t even tell time. Looks like I picked the right guy!
It’s been a wild couple of weeks, but undoubtedly some of the happiest days I can ever remember. What is it about being newly engaged that makes you feel like you’re walking around in a dream? I feel like my head is in the clouds surrounded by little cartoon hearts. I’m back in LA, without my darling (who is still in Nashville working on some music stuff), but with plenty of catching up to keep me busy and my mind off of missing him!
The time I spent in Nashville was divine – I’m so thankful I had the chance to spend a week and a half of (mostly) uninterrupted time with my future family-in-law and all of Julian’s friends, some of whom I will know the rest of my life. So many great moments, I don’t even know where to start. The southern food, naps on the chaise lounge, Jenesis braiding my entire head of hair, wearing onesies on Christmas morning, massages on the stairs, the great folks at Eastgate CCF, looking back on baby books and love notes from new mothers, kissing my sweetheart at midnight on New Years, countless trips to Starbucks, window shopping in various Nashville malls, getting ready with Jeorgi in the bathroom and buying/cutting my own “man pants”, perusing bridal books and magazines with Kayla (also newly-engaged), awesome conversations with grandparents who have more wisdom than I could ever hope to, ice skating, laughing my face off with Julian’s siblings, watching them spontaneously write and play a full-band version of the Power Rangers theme, cuddling his stinking adorable nephews, even the pathetic snow flurries that were falling when Julian dropped me at the terminal on Monday morning.
My flight back was uneventful, always a good thing, except for the fact that airport security confiscated my brand new jar of (heavenly) Loveless Cafe peach preserves. I was planning on giving them to Lauren, who generously drove to LA from Pasadena everyday of my absence to feet Fatterson 1 and Fatterson 2, but instead, she just got a thing of biscuit mix. Merry Christmas, Lauren!
The first day back at work was busy, but not totally nightmare-ish, a lot of catch-up meetings and returning e-mails. Now I’m here at home, repainting my nails (of course) and waiting for my girl Francesca’s flight to get in from NYC. Because I’m a good friend, I offered to pick her up from the airport … even if it is arriving at 2:00am. So now I have to make the decision…. coffee? Or nap?
At least I have PLENTY to think about while I’m waiting – who knew wedding planning was such a huge task? Or shall I say, 4140371 mini tasks?! I’ve only been engaged a week and I’m already overwhelmed by the questions, the suggestions, the requests for me to tell the proposal story over and over again. I guess it’s a part of the entire experience – after all, this only happens once! I guess I should savor every moment of it. That being said, I have a few things in mind for what I want, but there is still much up in the air. I’m more looking forward to actually being married to the love of my life. This is without a doubt the HAPPIEST time of my life.
Sorry, you’ll have to forgive my abundance of barfalicious gushiness. I am just… well, if you’ve ever been engaged, you know what I mean. If not, you will understand one day!
ALRIGHT, I’ll cool it. Now that my holiday break is over, I’ll be returning to my regular blogging schedule. But one last thing before I get back to my DVR for the evening (that I must enjoy now before I get rid of my cable TV) – I am very proud to say that I managed to finish another book in my never ending stack! The Shack was awesome. I’m also working my way through C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity and The Millionaire Next Door audiobook. So much great info in that last one.. well, both, to be honest. Highly recommended.
I know I said I wasn’t going to have a ton of time to post while I’m in Nashville, but this calls for an announcement. You see, I have some pretty big and exciting news to share with you all: I painted my nails yesterday (third time in two days) and the nail polish is STILL on!
Just kidding. Well, that part is true, but the bigger news is this: I’m engaged!
It’s true. In the middle of a faux-video shoot yesterday afternoon in front of a bunch of “crew” (family and friends), my handsome Julian popped the Big Question. I, of course, said yes, then began sweating, hyperventilating and shrieking in a pitch that only animals can hear. The past twenty four hours have been pretty surreal, and I will share the details with you soon (including a video of the moment, because of course my filmmaker boyfriend fiance catches EVERYTHING on film!)
All I will say for now is that I’m SO, SO happy and can’t wait for the this upcoming chapter of our lives! I never thought I would be so lucky as to wind up with someone who is this amazing. I am truly blessed!!!
Also, I’ve finally found the solution for not picking your nail polish off. Get a big honkin’ diamond on your finger so everyone wants to take pictures of it and look at it. I guarantee you won’t TOUCH your nails.
Depending on how closely you follow my blog and how much you adore what I have to say, you may have noticed that I didn’t post a Things I Love Thursday last week. Being with my family, cooking and eating Thanksgiving dinner, and taking a break from the internet were among the reasons I had to skip, but I’m BACK! And I have plenty of things that are oozing with my love this week.
Oh, If you like reading this, make a list of your own things you love in the comments. It is really fun, I promise, and if you’re having a craptacular day, it will boost your mood (money back guarantee.)
THINGS I LOVE THURSDAY!
- December magic. My birthday is in September, but my favorite month might just be December, because Christmas is my favorite, favorite holiday, period. I love the sights, the smells, the music, the colors, the parties, the shopping, the lights, the giving, the cooking, the midnight mass, the spirit, the love, the family, the magic – all of it, all month long. Even if the stores are crowded and people are so stressed that they’re cussing each other out in parking lots, I tend to plug my ears and stay in my happy place full of candy canes and sparkles where St. Nick is laughing and everyone is caroling on the streets. Call me naive, but I don’t care. I am going to try and stretch this month out as long as I can and squeeze as much Christmas joy as possible. This year is shaping up to be a very special one, too, as it will be my first holiday away from home (I’ll be in Nashville with J’s family), but I’d be just as happy if I were serving in a soup kitchen downtown. Mmmm I love Christmas!
- Making lists. I’m laughing at myself right this minute for including “making lists” on a LIST of things I love. Man, do I love a good list. I get excited over lists the way some people get excited over shopping, martinis or chocolate cake. I’m a Virgo through and through, especially the part about being a perfectionist and obsessive compulsive organizer, so I cannot work on anything without a list. I have lists for everything – to-do lists at work, grocery lists, things I want to buy for my apartment, gifts I need to buy, books I want to read, things that need to be cleaned, lists of bills (ugh). I am constantly telling my scatter-brained boyfriend that he needs to “make a list, make a list, make a list” but that just isn’t his style. Fortunately for him, it is mine, and I am the more organized of our little team. For even the most repulsive of tasks, writing it down seems to make it that much more appealing. As far as on-paper versus online, I tend to favor a mix of both. I use Google Tasks for my work list, though I prefer less eco-friendly pen and paper lists in pretty notebooks at home.
- Having a bed. Like a real bed, with a bed frame and a bed skirt. I moved into my fabulush apartment back in March, but believe it or not, I am just now getting around to putting my box spring and mattress up on a bed frame and making it look less ‘My First College Apartment’ and more ‘Mid-20s Adult Living In LA.’ I used to have a really pretty bedframe from IKEA, but it broke (several times) and I refused to put it up in my new place for fear my cats would be crushed if it collapsed (they like to hide underneath). I bought a simple bed frame on Overstock.com and an Ivory linen bed skirt, and forced Julian to assemble it for me last night. What are boyfriends for? Now, it looks much better – grown up, even! I also yanked a white duvet from my Mom’s house, along with two humongous lavender pillows, which really add to it. It has motivated me to make more improvements to my home.
- Waking up on time. Since we’re talking about beds, let’s discuss sleep. I’m pretty lazy in the mornings and I HATE waking up. For some reason, though, every morning on our road trip though, I was up and at ‘em at whatever time Julian required – 5am, 6am, 7am – fresh as a daisy (after my coffee, of course.) Getting in the habit of waking up that early has turned me into a granny and I’ve been getting tired at 9pm now, instead of my usual 11pm-turned-into-1230am bedtime. It makes waking up in the morning much, MUCH easier, and I love it! I wouldn’t exactly call myself a “morning person,” but I love being awake early so I can get a head start on the day (eat breakfast, go running, drink coffee, check e-mails, read the news) without feeling like I’m rushing through the morning and trying to get to work on time.
- Being sore. You know what I’m talking about – the “good sore.” When you know that your hard work running, doing yoga, hiking, lifting weights or whatever form of exercise you chose is paying off. Bonus points when you’re sore in the right places. Girls, you know what I mean!
- L’Occitane Verbena candles. Falling in love with this treasure was a mere accident, I didn’t buy it, rather a friend of mine who was trying to get rid of some extra “stuff” handed it off to me. I put it in my bedroom and have become thoroughly addicted to it. It smells like fresh lemon zest (or, heaven) and not in an obnoxious way, either. It keeps the room smelling awesome even long after it is blown out. The only downside is the price ($23 for a 3.5 oz glass container). I keep telling myself to preserve it but I can’t help lighting it every time I am home. Pure love.
- My boyfriend’s face. Aren’t there studies that prove someone’s face gets more attractive to you the more you get to know them? I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s just his new haircut, but I am just in crazy, crazy love with Julian’s face more and more everyday. I think he is hands down the most handsome man that has ever walked the planet. Every time I look at his face I think to myself “how lucky am I?” It takes my breath away. Not to mention, he is the most caring, smart, talented, funny, kind and compassionate person I know. So THIS is what it’s supposed to feel like.
- Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook. I really want to be a housewife domestic goddess. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and I doubt I will ever be completely void of a job, but there is something so intriguing about spending my days ironing curtains, organizing closets, baking muffins from scratch and folding socks. Yes, I know I’m crazy. While I was at home, I was thumbing through my Mom’s copy of Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook. This is the encyclopedia of everything you’ve ever wanted to know about kitchen organization, re-using old furniture, or cleaning a toilet. I really need this book, like now.
- Catching up with old friends. This trip back East was primarily about meeting family, as it was the first time Julian had met mine in the flesh and the first time I got to mix and mingle with several of his extended family. That being said, I REALLY loved being able to see my old friends back home. These are the people that know me through and through and though I don’t get to see them or talk to them regularly (this will change), they are always there for me. I am so happy J had the chance to meet and hang with my bestie Tabatha and her hubby Justin (who I call Candypants), as well as Katie and her husband Matt, Jenny and Randi. It felt different than previous trips home, I guess we are growing up, and catching up with old friends is less about going to a bar and drinking until we can’t see straight and more about actually spending quality time and hearing about what’s going on in their lives. I’ve already cemented a weekly Tuesday night phone date with Katie, and we had our first last night while I was rushing around the grocery store (I’m a busy girl.) I love, love my friends in LA, but I really miss my people back home. I can’t wait to be closer to them again one day.
Matt, Katie, myself and handsome Julian
Other noteworthy lovables:
Critiquing bridesmaid dresses with Lauren, “It looks like it went through the dryer with a piece of bubblegum”; Honest Tea; eMusic, because they give me 5 free songs for the holidays and are cheaper than iTunes; new black wool trenchcoats from Mom; planning Christmas trips to Nashville; hot cocoa; laughing until my face falls off with Julian; Benny (one of our office dogs) wearing a brown blanket as a cape around the office; free lunch on Wednesdays; hugs, not drugs; waking up to cuddling, purring cats who were hiding under my bed all night; random, funny dreams that even I can’t follow; Timothy Keller releasing a new book (Counterfeit Gods); a new LA food truck devoted to sweets & coffee (@TheSweetsTruck)
One last thing, though I doubt either of them read this: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my best friend Tabatha and my little brother Travis!!!!!!!! I love you both so very much!
It’s Labor Day, and instead of being out on a beach like I should be (and probably will be, later, granted I can find parking!), I’m at home, thinking about pride and being self-serving. As our wonderful lead pastor Joseph Barkley said yesterday at church, “the opposite of love is pride.” This statement really resonated with me, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Upon doing a little Google-ing, I found a wonderful poem by Beth Moore that sums up the evilness of pride.
I cheat you of knowledge…because you already
know it all.
I cheat you of healing…because you’re
too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness…because you refuse to
admit when you’re wrong.
I cheat you of vision…because you’d rather look
in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of a genuine friendship…because
nobody’s going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love…because real romance
demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven…because you
refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.
I cheat you of God’s glory…because I convince
you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.
Untrue. I’m looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…
If you stick with me
You’ll never know.
found: The Striving Wife
P.S. You probably won’t read this for a day or so, because I’m currently moving my blog to self-hosted, big ups to (mt) media temple! Woot!
I should really start updating my personal blog more. When you blog for a living, you don’t always feel like coming and “talking about your life,” you’d rather just live it. But being the person I am, a talkative one who has 5,000 different interests, hobbies and passions, I can’t afford NOT to share things with whoever may be reading this. And at the very least, I want to look back on what I am thinking/feeling/loving at the moment.
My newest obsession is Tim Walker, an English fashion photographer. I recently came across a post on strawberry lemonade about Walker’s work and was intrigued. I’ve spotted his work in past fashion editorials (when I had more time to be trolling things like that, before I had a job that consumes my life), but I’ve never truly investigated his work. I am thoroughly in love with the above dress lantern image, and several others that I’ve found.
If anyone that loves me is reading this, they will get me these books for my birthday.
P.S. The subject is true, and his name is Julian.
Everyone needs a little romance, even geeks. Shoot, especially geeks! Here are a couple ways to let technology enhance your intimate moments.
How many times have you forgotten to blow out the candles, only to awake to a burning set of drapes? Personally, I never have. But the thought of my cat knocking over a candle or burning her whiskers off trying to “smell” it isn’t too pleasant (and the burning smell of cat hair isn’t that great either). A much safer, yet still romantic, option, are these "blow-on/off" LED candles by ThinkGeek.
Not only are they preeeeeeetty, but they’re NOT ON FIRE. Maybe the only downfall is that they aren’t scented, which is one of my favorite things about burning candles, but you’d be better off focusing on the perfume of your lover anyways. The price is a small one to pay, considering the danger that comes with a flame in your home. These candles vary in size and price, from $12 to $15.
Next time you’re in the "romantic mood" with your S.O., or even better, trying to forget him while enjoying a bottle of champagne or wine with your girlfriends, this Electronic Ice Bucket will come in handy. It’s battery operated, so electric shock from the ice inside the bucket is a non-issue. Simply select the type of beverage (white, red, or blush wine, sparkling, etc), place sensor in the wine, and wah-lah… it lets you know when it’s cold enough for maximum enjoyment. No muss, no fuss. Product by Frontgate, runs about $40.
