it's beautiful

under my tree

Our second Christmas together, but our first in our home.  Our tree is modestly decorated, with tons of gifts underneath to be loaded up on Wednesday to head to VB.

Saw these while we were out shopping Saturday.  Maybe I'll be finding one of these pretty's come Christmas morning...

we'll watch the world from above

...as it spins to the rhythm of love...

xoxo

<3

surprises

mark and i traveled back to virginia beach over columbus day to spend a nice, long, quiet weekend at home. no big plans, just spending time together, and enjoying being home.

mom told us john and the kids were coming over for lasagna saturday night. she spent the afternoon picking up, and putting things in the oven.  i thought nothing of it. 

a few minutes before john, justin, and kaitlyn were supposed to show, mom sets this out along with a massive amount of appetizers, and i knew something was up.

what followed was so sweet, so amazing, so touching.  mom had arranged an impromptu little get together, to celebrate our engagement. nothing big, nothing extravagant. just a room full of people i love and was so happy to spend time with. 

john, justin & kaityln, jake, david, sasha, sarah, soraia, kristen, katy & derek & mckenzie. mom & dad.

me & mark.

we spent the evening drinking wine, catching up, reminiscing, and looking forward to all that is about to come.  what an amazing memory that we'll get to carry with us.

(sarah was my first girlfriend to get there... i was absolutely SHOCKED)



with any kind of heads up, i may have dressed a little nicer.  but wouldn't have changed it for the world.

looking back now, i realize we got no real picture of mark and i. ha. oopsy!

<3

xoxo

yes i am thankful

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

spent a wonderful Thanksgiving hosting my parents and mark's.  celebrating a holiday with the two families that will soon be one.

happy, healthy, and loved.

xoxo

proof

proof that this holiday season is going to be so very merry.

yessss.

starting now

starting now...

I'll be the active voice in planning my wedding.

'i don't feel well.  i'm busy.  work is overwhelming.  i'm tired.'  are all legitimate things i feel most days throughout the week.  starting now, they won't be my excuse for procrastinating.

i can't wait for the day when mark and i vow to commit our lives to one another, in front all those we love. i know, without hesitation, that day will be the most important and memorable day of my life thus far. i also want it to be a beautiful, special, and love-filled day for all of our guests. so, work is required now to ensure that happens.

i fear my procrastination has given off an air of ambivalence in regards to wedding planning.  it hit me today, and upset me. i am so excited about this day. so excited to plan. my procrastination does not mean i'm too sick or tired to handle the stress. 

so let's say goodbye to laziness! i will no longer let this happen. i'm going to plan my little heart out.  think of every little detail. contact those important people that i need to make the day go off as planned.

starting now.

scaling back

have scaled back on a couple luxuries in an attempt to keep money present and growing in my bank account. 

giving up one thing in particular has hurt the most.  a once daily (even twice daily on the rarest of occasions) treat from my favorite place, has now been scaled back to weekend only occurences.  over the week, i've gotten picture messages/emails from a handful of people sharing a new cup of joy... one that I can't wait to hold in my hand, sit in the cup holder of the car on a day filled with errands, stare at endlessly.

getting up early to head to richmond tomorrow for our premarital ministry session means we'll get to indulge.  and I will get to finally see this year's beauty in person.

cannot wait.

for me it's not just a cup.  it's a sign of what's to come.  our little reminder that the time of joy and love is quickly approaching.  we can hold on to this warm cup of cheer, sipping to keep warm.  time to get my lists made, travel arrangements settled, and to bring my ever present thoughts of holiday decorating to life.

get ready ipod. you're about to be overloaded with a whooole lot of jingle.

<<<--

prepare-enrich ministry

our journey starts tomorrow morning!

a time for thanks

so many wonderful people care about me:

care about my health, care about my happiness. a

nd i'm not sure I've ever truly gotten to express the way that makes me feel.

then this morning, I stumbled upon this:

'thankful on paper'

how fitting, how perfect.

and so I plan on embracing this project wholeheartedly,

starting this weekend.

.xoxo.

adjusting



To getting up at 5am again

To driving in to work

To being back at the Navy Yard

To all the changes that have taken place here in the nine months I've been gone
To working so so hard on a job I feel no connection to

To sitting in traffic on the way home

To being exhausted in the evenings

Seems as if so much has changed in the last week. My body is aching, my mind is tired, and I'm feeling frustrated. It has been hard coming back here. Happy to see a few friendly faces I've missed, but feeling myself wanting to be elsewhere. With a job here that's been waiting for me, and other possible opportunities become a reality, who knows where the next few months will take me?

Either way, I'll adjust.

long awaited...

After a week of Mark being gone, and then a weekend of not feeling well, finally planning on tackling something I've been promising for weeks now....

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

Once I start making them, it seems like I get roped into making 50 batches!

Well worth it :)

beauties

So this Anthro obsession does not solely apply to their beautifully crafted clothing. How am I supposed to work when knowing there are such beautiful things to swoon over for our home?!

Mark and I agree on most decor wise for our home, and Anthro is definitely a common ground.  He finds the home goods collection just as charming as I do.  Oh, how these would be the perfect additions to the new 'antique kitchen look' we're soon to be striving for.

(L'Epice Jars )

(Farmer's Egg Crate)

(Appellation Utensil Jar)

(Fleur De Lys Sugar & Creamer)

(Nifty Napkins)

(Magnetic Timer)

Oh Anthro, why do you have no Wedding Registries? You'd make my life oh so happy.

counting down

9 hours to go!

xoxo

surprise!

Mark changed is flight and is coming home a day early!

(sure do love this man)

We can't wait to have you home!!

free time

In Mark's absence, I've done a bit of reconnecting with music.

When I was single, and lived alone, I would spend hours collecting new downloads, searching for new artists, and making the most perfect playlists for whatever my mood happened to be.  It started back in high school, when my best friend and I would practically compete to see who would come up with the better compilation.  Classy Christmas, angry chick, workout, keep me awake car music, show tunes, my singing songs (for when i happen to want to sing my little heart out).  You name it, I had the playlist.  I'd come home every day and always have a playlist that would fit perfectly for whatever my plans.  Pop on my ipod while cooking dinner, cleaning up, finishing a project, reading a book, making a bath... whatever. 

Now that Mark and I live together, I've let this hobby kind of fall by the wayside.  We get home from work and discuss our days, cook dinner, play with the animals, watch tv, run errands.... No silence to fill.  Which is wonderful.

BUT, this week with evenings alone has made me miss that hobby.  Spent some time on iTunes last night catching up on some downloads that I can't believe I didn't already own.  

Time for a fall playlist, or two maybe.  There is so much incredible country music out in the last few weeks, I think it merits its very own playlist.

So, hoping to put together the perfect fall playlists tonight. 

currently...

reading Nicholas Sparks' newest.

My sweets picked it up for me over the weekend while

stocking up on magazines for his trip. 

Now that school has quieted down, I've found myself longing to jump back into reading.  I spent the summer lost in new favorites. Nothing, of course that required too much thought.  Some romantic and fun novels that made me laugh, and made me cry. 

Truly excited that I got away from the tv all night to start this newest.  I sense a big cry in my future.  Mr. Nicholas has a way of doing that to me...

'this'

every stoplight i didn't make

every chance i did or i didn't take

all the nights i went too far

all the boys that broke my heart

all the doors that i had to close

all the things i knew but i didn't know

thank God for all i missed

cause it led me here to this

fall weekend wrap-up

Fall is officially among us.  It's consistently on the chilly, and with the windows open and fall scented candles lit, the house always feels perfectly comfy wrapped up in a blanket or a sweater.  I haven't gone too out of my way to decorate, but am picking up small items where I can.  Trying my best to pick out some sweet items that will not only satisfy our halloween craving, but will also last us all the way through Thanksgiving.  A few little pieces are doing wonders to make our home feel cozy and festive.

I always have fall candles lit, creating a warm, sweet scent, and I always find myself longing for something warm in the oven.  Recently, I've been making a banana bread loaf a week, so that we have something sweet and tasty to take in to work.  Stocked up on a few other yummy's that I can't wait to make in the weeks to come.

We spent a quiet night at home Friday, slipping into pjs for mexican night.  We whipped up some delicious quesadillas and margaritas and spent the night curled up on the couch with our favorite show. (Our favorite show seems to change depending on what week or time of year you ask us.  Currently it's Two and a Half Men).

Saturday afternoon we decided to head out to Reston Town Center to peek around.  I've heard wonderful things about the area and had been wanting to explore! (The fact that there's an Anthropologie there may or may not have had something to do with finally getting out there....)

Got my hands on a bag I've been swooning over..... I may be a little indulgent at times, but a price tag like this has a way of restraining me.  Hm, I smell my first addition to my Christmas list!!! (and by then, it will certainly have had it's first sale cut)

(hello gorgeous)

Found some things from my wishlist I'd been expecting to like, and didn't. 

(now officially off the list)

Saw some things I had been expecting not to like, and loved.

(someone needs to invite us to a holiday party so I can buy this pretty)

And tried on this Jackie Cardi for the hundredth time from J Crew.  Seriously in love with this shade.  A pumpkin shaded cardigan?! Yes, I'm all over that!  There's also the most beautiful olive colored one I'd love to get my hands on too.  However, the price is still a little steep for me.  Hoping to stumble across one of J Crew's 30% off sales very soon (though finding anything in an extra small during sale times seems to be unheard of...)

(Pumpkin dear, you belong in my closet)

So, ended up coming home with two sale shirts.  One even on super sale as it was damaged.  No fear, my mommy can fix her right up.

Sunday was spent getting Mark ready for Germany.  First business trip on his diplomatic passport. Oh, I'm so proud of my sweets <3

(I'm thinking Gracie was hoping to tag along)

With some time to spare in the afternoon, we headed to the craft store for some wedding purchases.

After such a hard summer, everything this fall just seems so much sweeter <3 

happiness and excitement

Weekend recap: 

-Beautiful bridal shower for a beautiful bride and a few hours of happiness with my favorite college friends.

-Dinner in Manassas with the future in-laws.  (So happy that we live close enough to be able to meet spontaneously for a meal.  Family has always been top priority for me... in laws will be no exception)

-Top golf with friends.  Was surprisingly good, had a few beers, a few laughs, and watched my sweet man hit the head of the other Mark's golf club into the middle of the field.  My man is strong, no?)

-Wedding band shopping.  Made a trip back to Jared's.  Found and ordered the ring I'll be putting on my hunny's left hand come April.  Much happiness and excitement on that one.

-Anthro.  Second trip in a week.  My obsession is becoming quite a hobby.  One that makes me smile, happy, and gives me fun little things to look forward to (planning my sales).  And can't forget to mention that my sweets supports this new little hobby... if I can keep it to the sales and the occasional full-priced-purchase.  More to come on this later....

Tonight was definitely a turning point in the teeny struggle that has been wedding planning.  The past few months, I've found it hard to get motivated to plan.  I've been so sick, and feeling so constantly stressed, that it just always seemed easier to put off any serious decisions.  Yes, we have a lot of the big stuff done, but yes, there's lots and lots more to go.

Anyway, my beautiful MOH ordered the dress I picked out last week, and it arrived today! All 3 of my perfect bridesmaids agreed to meet up tonight to try on! I can honestly say, with no hesitation or doubt, that this is THE dress.  The color, flawless.  The material, beautiful.  And each of the girls looked special and beautiful, all gorgeous and unique in this amazing convertible dress.  I know we haven't made any decisions as to how exactly they are going to tie them, but really we have all the time in the world to make that decision.  It's enough for me, for now, to know that Jen, Meliss, and Chels all loved it, and looked STUNNING.

My bridesmaid's are hotter than yours.  Or anyone's.  Period.


With the dress actually here for us to see, and Jen and Mom having met with a caterer, it's all starting to feel real now.  Somehow before, it felt far off, distant.  Now, it's changed.  We've picked a dress, we have ideas about food, and my dress is in and ready to be tried on... in my size!  Officially ready to get my tail in gear and get to planning what's going to be the BEST night of my whole life.

I am one happy girl.  Who has everything in the world to be excited about. :)

love it.

mmm.

(via this beauty)

makes me want to curl back up in bed with my hunny.  so thankful for the three day weekend!

falling for fall

When thinking of a favorite season, most would be quick to jump to spring, or most often summer. I, un-surprisingly, would have usually said winter, given Christmas falls in the winter.  Last year, though, an unexpected season captured my heart, swayed my attention....

We had the most incredible fall last year.  We were living together in Virginia Beach.  Not far from mom & dad.  The two of us, with a now well behaved Addie, a happy Zues, and a Gracie that loved having the room to run around and get away from the dogs.

We spent time outside on brisk walks with the dog, exploring pumpkin patches, indulging in festive Starbucks drinks, family dinners with the folks, fun nights of bowling and movies, weekend drives thru the mountains to visit with the Dovel's, falling in love with great fall television and a great new little life for our fam.

Last year, I fell in love with this season, one that I had appreciated before, but not fully understanding how wonderful this time truly was.

Looking forward to a fall just as wonderful... more fall festivals, pumpkin picking & carving, making endless batches of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (mark's fav), goody bags for loved ones, Starbucks delights, and lots of scarves and boots. <3

images of our fall 09:

Why yes, Fall, I'm so glad you're here. 

xoxo