To the Wine Country!

Happy Friday!  So this weekend the boy and I are going on a wine adventure in Santa Ynez for my brother and his fiancee's bachelor/ette parties.  It's a joint venture full of wine tasting and hopefully some silly bachelor and bachelorette moments! 

Since the boy and I are quite fond of California Wines (we spent our own honeymoon on a roadtrip through California Wine Country)  I thought I would include a snippet of the program that taught us to be wine ponces in our own right.  Here wine critic Oz Clark and petrol-head James May visit some Santa Ynez vineyards.  They start with the Fess Parker Vineyard which I am hoping we get to stop in at this weekend.  Recognize the owner?  Maybe that's because he's the "king of the wild frontier!"

Have A Great Weekend!

Coffee Cutie

I am one of those people who has to have a cup of coffee in the morning before she is able to do anything else.  I wasn't always this way, but now that I am accustomed to my coffee, I am afraid there is no going back.  

In the interest of being festive, I like to take my morning cup in my very special Valentine's Day mug.  It doesn't get more girlie than this, cheers!

Beers and Bulldogs

The other day I met up with my dear friend Brittany for some beers at the Bulldog Bar in Santa Monica.  I realize that maybe it's the boy's influence, but I am sucker for a British Pub, especially one that's not afraid to play up it's British-ness. 

It was a brisk, but beautiful day in the British bar, The Bulldog, with my British Boy and Brittany.  {See what I did there?  That's alliteration kiddies! Booyah!}  I really did have a nice time.  Here's some snaps.  Brittany and I are pulling our best bulldog faces....I think we look pretty good!

She does it again!

Every year I am always inspired at the adorable Valentine's Day projects on one of my favorite blogs, Twig & Thistle.  Last year it was an adorable print out for packaging heart-shaped brownies, and this year it's an equally sweet printable for Valentine goody-bags.  Honestly, I wish I had the talent to come up with this stuff, but since I don't, it's awfully nice that Kathleen is gracious enough to share her cute creations with all of us. 

Skip on over to her blog, but be prepared to spend some time looking through the archives, there's too many good things to simply pass over!

P.S.  Thanks for following me, or commenting about my last post...you guys made me happy!

Um, ok, I am just gonna come out and ask:

Do you read this blog?  Have you been keeping track of all my self-absorbed rantings and high and low mood swings?  Have you enjoyed sharing in my mad musings and have they made you feel better about your own state of mind and self-esteem by comparison?  If so, then please let it be known to me!  Leave a comment, or better yet become a FOLLOWER!  It's as easy as making a pumpkin pie.  Just click on the {follow} button you can find in the left side column of this blog and you and I are as good as BFF!

I know this is a total blogger faux pas, but I don't care.  I wanted to make sure that whoever is reading this knows that comments and following is encouraged, and I know there are a few readers who are new to the blogging world and definitely don't know about the following option.  So, I know the old saying may tell you ~ not to stand behind me, I may not lead.  And don't stand in front of me, as I may not follow.  But just stand beside me and be my friend....But I still want to know who is reading this, so fess up friends!

When it Rains....

IT POURS!  My darlings.... this has been a rough and stormy week, both in the actual weather and in my emotional state of mind.  I am so glad that it's the weekend and I will hopefully get a chance to recharge my batteries and feel better about things next week!

Although, when things get bad I always have so many people around me, supporting me and helping me find my way.  I am extremely lucky.  And I am thankful to all of you who perhaps read this blog and have been there for me when I needed you.

Now for something cute ~

 

 I put this little outfit together the other day, and while the boy and I are not at all interested in having children yet I have to admit--tiny ballet shoes and tutus are just too cute!  When we have a daughter I am dressing her in dance outfits like this one! 

tea and trumpets:

I have been listening to The Books quite a bit lately.  I'd really like to choreograph something to one of their songs.  Here's a video of theirs that I like.  Enjoy!

{Color Crush}

Red & Aqua

I love this color combo, and think it makes for a nice Valentine's day palate beyond the traditional red and pink.  I would love to have this outfit for a special date with the boy.  What do you think?

holiday cheer up....

It never fails.  Every year after Christmas and New Years I feel a little sad at the reality that the so called "holiday season" has passed.  I feel depressed as I take down holiday lights and decorations that made the apartment look so festive and special.  It really is my favorite time of the year, and I always feel emotional as another year ends and we begin the long stretch between January and October, where there is hardly a holiday to be found.

But then I remember, there is Valentine's Day!  And sure, I know it's one of those silly holidays that holds no bigger purpose than to sell cards and flowers, but I do enjoy decorating for Valentine's Day!  It's the prospect of pink hearts, red doilies and girlie flowers that lifts me from my post-holiday-depression and gets me excited for another year of festivities!  So, despite it being a bit early, I have already begun to decorate for the occasion....The boy thinks I am crazy, and I suppose I have no choice but to agree!

P.S.  This year we have a wonderful Valentine's Day date already in the works~ We are getting to witness my brother getting married!  I love weddings.  Couldn't ask for a more romantic date!

a very pretty party

Back in November, my mother and I threw a bridal shower for my sister-in-law to be...you may remember the invites.  Anyway, it just occurred to me that I never posted the pictures from the party itself.  So here it is, my fetal attempt at being a party-planning hostess~

The whole day was a lot of fun, augmented with a special game of Bridal Bingo and a Crossword puzzle in honor of the bride and groom!

The Delights of the English Country Side

Here are some choice moments from our English Adventure over Christmas.....

It snowed right when we first got there.  So pretty!

My sister in law, Katie made me a beautiful and delicious birthday cake, and I also got a special birthday creme brulee.

We went through a walk in the wilderness....

I picked out our next place of residence...

                            There was some birdwatching....

And even some chilly days in London Town.

All in all, a very good trip indeed!  We were sorry to have to leave so soon.  Maybe a spring-time trip is in order.....

New Year, New You

Hello my Lovelies!

So with the new year, of course, we all make new resolutions and set new goals for ourselves.  I admit, I do it too.  And this year I have a whole slew of resolutions that I want to accomplish.  But I am sad to report that 2010 has kind of started out on a bit of a dismal note for me.  

I have had major tooth problems lately and have spent the majority of the last week at the dentist, which is no fun at all.  But it encourages me to really work hard to maintain resolution #1:

* Take better care of my teeth and go to the dentist for cleanings more often!

 
Additionally, I have been feeling a bit depressed as to the nature of the job market these days.  I look around and feel like I am still floating in a sea of "what is it I really want to do with my life?"  And "can I find that job, whatever it is?"  I let these questions bubble up in my brain till I get so discouraged at the fact that I still don't have it figured out.  Leading me to these resolutions:

* Earn my Masters Degree (either in english, education or dance) and take the CBEST test

* Stop obsessing over "what I do" and remember that I can't place all my sense of self on a job

* Take more time and give more care to the things that truly matter in my life: the boy, my family and 

          my friends

And finally, I have a few resolutions that are not quite so heavy, but are more just goals I'd like to accomplish:

* Learn how to cook and cook well, so the boy and I can eat more healthily, and we put our kitchen to

     better use! (we got a couple new cookbooks for Christmas!)

* Cut down on the clutter

* Pick a project and see it to the end before jumping into another one

* Blog more consistently

And that my blog friends are my resolutions for the new year.  I hope that by writing them here for anyone in the world to see it will help motivate me to stick to 'em, wish me luck!

on my way....

Hello Dearies,

After the countdown I must admit that I needed a blogging break! And with the new year things have been more than a little crazy--- I feel like I can't catch up or get ahead. But I am working on it, I promise, and I will have new posts, new freebies and new adventures to post about next week. {As you can see from my picture, I am thinking up all kinds of terrific ideas.} Until then have a great weekend!