the happiest day: four years later

Here's to the past four years of fun, laughter, and growth. When I look back on my wedding, there are so many things that I would have done differently, but they all have to do with decor or implementation. The heart and soul of it, the marriage itself, is something I would never change. It's crazy to think that the love you had on the day you were married could grow deeper and stronger over time.

When I said my vows, I don't think I realized what I was really saying or how much I would have to commit. I was saying "I Do" to much more than romance, silliness, or emotion. It was an "I Do" to endure. To love unconditionally even in times when I feel as if I can't muster it. It has become so apparent to me that love is a choice, a need, and a gift.

And I really owe learning this lesson to God and my hubba. Thank you for four years, here's to the next ten.

good good friends

Me and two of my favorite traveling buddies are taking a trip very very soon ... and I can't wait! Fun adventures await us - sure to be full of food, laughter, and sweet sights.

a little soundtrack: trippin'

When on a plane ride or trip somewhere, I find that it's always good to load up my iPod with a sweet soundtrack to keep me relaxed and even introspective while I'm waiting to get to my destination. I just grab my journal, listen to a few tunes, and let life slow down. Here are a few mellow albums I like to put on repeat while I'm in mid-air:

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Passion Pit - Manners
Brooke Fraser - Albertine
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
John Mayer - Where the Light Is
Tristan Prettyman - Hello

inspired outfits

I don't generally think about fashion much, but I do enjoy and appreciate it. I think I would consider it more if I had more time - especially to go thrifting. Finding fun treasures and clothing you can re-purpose is so appealing. For fall clothing in general, I'm feeling ruffles, vests, graphic tees, blazers, striped cardis and Minnetonka trampers.

Here are a few fun outfits that I have been saving in my inspiration folder:

From The Sartorialist
Love the graphic tee, olive green leather jacket and boyfriend jeans! This girl looks effortless, and I love that.

From Weardrobe User Tania
The trampers are great mixed with a jean vest (80's!) and a folk-inspired floral dress. I like the color palette here.

From Weardrobe User Greta Eagan
The trench coat is classic fall, and I love the plaid shirt paired with a unexpected orange belt. The pop of color is great. I've always wanted a yellow belt, but orange? Great idea.

So everyone knows The Sartorialist's blog, but my sister introduced me to Weardrobe, and I love that it's like a whole bunch of fashion photo blogs for real people. You can click through and get tons of up to date fashion inspiration for the season. I don't shop much since I'm so busy, but I do like being inspired by different patterns and textures together. Especially when it's Chic for Cheap! I mean, fashion is art, and I like myself some art! Also check out my fashionista and all-around thrifty gal pal Davina's blog, Douceur Vivre. She's always throwing sweet outfits together on a whim and it's such fun.

midweek crafting: diy fabric poppies

After a hard day at work, sometimes I want to unwind, and the television just doesn't help. Yesterday was one of those days, so I did a bit of crafting. I made these fabric poppies out of this old pillow fabric from our couch. It felt so good to just make something with my own two hands after being on the computer for the entire day. And they are so simple to create! I think I'll turn them into a necklace or attach them to bobby pins. I made them with things I already had, like a bracelet from H&M made of wooden beads that I took apart. Here are the materials you need:
- polyester fabric
- candle
- beads
- thread and needle
- scissors

And that's it! Gotta love a little midweek craft time. Does anyone want a poppy hair pin? Leave a comment and I'll send you one!

remodel: home and life

I have been up to my ears in remodeling - picking paint samples, numerous trips to the hardware stores for this and that, learning how to properly spackle, how to do demolition without ripping holes in walls, and how to seal granite (three times already!).

We're upgrading our kitchen and bathrooms and it's our first foray into home improvement. So far, so good. It's coming together slowly, and there are lots of little things to accomplish. I realize how much it is causing me to rethink how much I truly need materially, and what luxuries I'm able to enjoy. You don't think about how nice it is to have hot running water until you don't have it. And that makes me more grateful.

It's remodeling my perspective too, you could say.

All in all, I'm glad for this experience and hopeful that the next people to enjoy our place will like the details we've picked out. I mean, it took me a week to make sure I picked the right kitchen color! Can't wait for it to be done, then I'll post a real before and after shot.

wonder foodie: making mallows

Ohhh yes, we did it! Last weekend, my sister and I took a day to tackle the delicious task of making the drool-worthy Neapolitan marshmallows that I blogged about earlier. And the result? Amazing bites of soft, fluffy and light-as-air marshmallows with three different layers of flavor.

This wasn't my first encounter with the homemade confection, but definitely results in a huge batch of sweets. I made marshmallows two Christmases ago from this Design*Sponge article, and those marshmallows were very small, much like mini marshmallows that you'd find at the grocery store. This recipe from Brownie Points blog made such a generous serving, I'll probably halve the recipe next time around. I highly recommend this recipe, and suggest investing in a candy thermometer and a Kitchenaid mixer.

Marshmallows are a deceptively simple sweet to make, and I think it's waiting for the sugar to get to the right temperature that's the hard part! We really enjoyed this process and enjoyed giving them out to people afterward since the three full batches made so much. Great for a party favor or little Christmas treats with packets of hot cocoa. Note to self: next time add a bit of pink food coloring to the strawberry to give it that true Neapolitan look. I love that we really did this ourselves and I didn't have to purchase them on Etsy. Yay!