tea time

I have 4+ cups of tea a day.  One of the first things I do, after arriving at the office, is make a cup.  Please don’t talk to me before I’ve had my tea!!!   

Say hello to my new friend, Adagio Mug&Infuser.  Perfect cup of tea every time! 

Everyone needs tea time.  A moment to unplug, reflect and create.    

Make sure to take time out of your day and enjoy a lovely cup of tea.  <big grin>

the maxi skirt

a wardrobe staple!  one of the most comfortable items in my closet. 

versatile - day or night, winter or summer

love that you can wear it with a tank top or a button-up shirt, flip-flops or boots, sweater or blazer.  

i paired it with a long sleeve shirt, belt and suede wedges



she is my sunshine.

MIEKA!!!  I can’t believe my little girl turned 9 years old last month.  I might've teared up a bit when purchasing her first bag of senior dog food. 

She loves playing around on Sienna's bed. 

deep fryer

alright, i caved.  i bought Ryan a deep fryer.  i was convinced for months that this was a bad idea as thoughts of deep fried twinkies, ice cream and pickles danced around in my head, and images of gaining 30, 40, 50+ pounds haunted my dreams.  Then one day while strolling down the aisles of Costco, a deep fryer practically leaped into my cart... hmmmm OR perhaps Ryan threw it in there.   

we decided to try it out for the first time last week.  deep-fried turkey breast.  delicious. easy.

we can’t wait to use it again. 

coconut shrimp, onion rings, wings, oh and doughnuts 

9 to 5 shimmer and pleat

i wore this outfit to work yesterday.  i purchased the sweater from piperlime.com over a month ago, and have worn it several times already.  love it!

amongst a sea of suits and ties… a little shimmer and a pleated skirt.

transition

i may be a little acorn now… but soon, very soon, i will grow into a great oak tree

some current goals

1.  tackle my overflowing closet

2.  read more and not just magazines/blogs

3.  brush Mieka’s teeth at least 2x a week

4.  spend more time planning menus

      and preparing shopping lists

5.  consume vitamins on a daily basis

6.  create a realistic budget

7.  perfect my cupcake baking skills

seventies glam

love. love. love... Tom Ford

his 2011 spring/summer collection looks fabulous

images by FashionGoneRogue

welcoming 2011

earrings - check. make-up - check.

sparkly shoes - check.

dinner at Grange

 my crazy fun girls

 excited to spend another year with this man

the boys 

balcony view at the Hyatt Hotel

State Capitol

Sacramento

cheers

one of my stylish besties

ending to a great year

and a fun night

breakfast next day

Mmmmmm



winter run

gotta have a little pink.

lucy pants w/zippers = favorite

 i'm ready... brrrr

why do i run?

that's an easy question for those that are close to me  -  I RUN SO I CAN EAT MORE

or at least that's the reason i started running. 

about a year ago, i decided i wanted to be a runner.  my first run outdoors, in 8+ years, was horrible!  definitely different than running on a treadmill.  i could barely finish a mile, my whole body hurt and i was extremely slow.  i kept with it though.  i began running 2 to 4 miles, 3 to 4 days a week.  it was hard, but each run got easier. i registered for running events and started training.  then before i knew it, i was running 6, 8, 10 and even 12 miles.   i'm addicted now.  i love setting goals and accomplishing them. i love pushing myself and the way it makes me feel.  i love that it gives me time to think, or not to think.  i don't love getting up early in the mornings (not exactly a morning person as Ryan will tell you), but once i'm out there i'm loving it... well, except for the occasional fall (yeah, i'm clumsy too). 

running is helping me become a better me and i'm excited for my 2011 goals.   

recap of 2010 running

1. 2/13/2010 Legal Services of Northern CA Annual Valentine Run 4 miles

(benefits free legal services to the disadvantaged)

2. 5/1/2010 American River Parkway 1/2 Marathon

3. 6/6/2010 Nike Women's Fitness Festival 5k

(benefits Weave)

4. 10/3/2010 Urban Cow 1/2 Marathon

(benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

5. 11/25/2010 17th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry 10k

goals for 2011

1. LSNC Annual Valentine Run

2. Shamrock'n 1/2 Marathon

3. SPCA Doggie Dash 5k

4. Nike Women's Fitness Festival 5k

5. Urban Cow 1/2 Marathon

6. 18th Annual Run to Fee the Hungry 10k

7. 29th Annual California International Full Marathon (**first full marathon**)

my current music obsession

phoenix

images via google & www.wearephoenix.com

football, basketball, soccer (oh, my!)

sports nut?  nah, ok possibly in training.  i just really enjoy going to games with friends and camping out on the couch to support our favorite teams. 

san francisco 49ers

 sacramento kings

soccer is definitely my favorite.  it would be a dream come true to travel to Brazil for the World Cup. 

image via www.fifa.com

a very merry christmas

 

this year Ryan and I decided to have my family and a few friends over for Christmas dinner.

love decorating

not exactly a traditional Christmas dinner

appetizers: nacho bar - salami&cheese

ribs, chicken, tri-tip, red&green mashed potatoes,

mac&cheese, broccoli, salad and cornbread

peppermint cocktail

Zoe meets Mieka

me attempting to be a good auntie

“The best Christmas of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.”

Bad Santa Party

'Tis the Season for some Christmas Cheer...

My First Blog Post

I am 28 years old and HAPPY. 

I’ve been in a relationship with an incredible man for the past 4 years, have two doggies and an interesting/challenging job as a legal assistant. 

This blog has been created to document my projects, adventures & the things I love ♥ Stay tuned.