and away i go...again.

so, i'm leaving for california for a week and a half.  i'll be there for work (i work for a company that produces conferences) and will have limited access to my computer.  i won't have the time, or (to be completely honest) the energy to blog as often as i am now...although, that' not saying a lot.


that being said, my plan is to try and sum up each day of my workation with a photo.  just one- maybe two, of the days activities.  just don't be surprised if all you get is a picture of a pillow.  after a long, long day, that pillow will be the image of pure bliss.  i am bringing the camera obviously, and maybe i'll surprise you with some pics of what i do for a living.  even a. doesn't understand exactly what i do.


at the end of the conference i opted to tag on a few days for a much needed family visit in san diego.  i'll have some of my friends with me and while hanging with the fam, will show them around my old stomping grounds.  i always get a kick out of showing friends my roots.  after all, these are my people and this is my town.


enjoy the pics and enjoy your week.  i'll be sure to check in as often as possible.

twelve things.

1. lovin' boden's outfit maker.  and pretending i own everything.
2. really looking to get into the world of juicing.  but i think i need this first.
3. it's time to get back into the swim routine.  think a new cap would help.
4. tea towels. so cute.
5. mumford & sons. love them.
6. toms.  i would love a pair- this pair to be exact.
7. diggin' this song:

8. looking forward to a loaf of honey white bread by the barefoot contessa.  her recipes are spectacular and they always turn out delish.  that being said, i'm going to start my bread baking streak with her help.
9. a great book on costa rica.  given to me by my friends as part of my birthday week extravaganza.
10. i would love to lay in a field of ranunculus and soak up the sun.  they are one of my favorite flowers. i just wish i knew how to pronounce "ranunculus."

{via}

11. only a little over 2 months until a. and i get to meet up in costa rica (the countdown has officially begun).
12. leaving for california in the morning.  still need to pack!  i guess if there's one thing i'm good at it's procrastinating!

packages for a.

i love sending him packages.  and i love making it a process.  throughout the month, i'll pick up and collect things for a. while i'm shopping or happen to find during my day.  the sole criteria being- it must remind me of a.  i want each package to be special- not just stuff.

i always try to send him the things he asks for and i love to throw in unexpected surprises to brighten his day.  since i can't do it for him at home these days, at least i can try to surprise him in a few unexpected ways.  just recently, he received a box from me- and lucky for all you peeps in blogland (wink, wink)- i just happened to take a few pictures.

i have so much fun sending these- and i can never wait to send the next one.  right now i have a huge pile of stuff ready to go.  i know these boxes make his day, and for the next 7 months, i hope i can continue to surprise him with gifts, goodies and love.

home makeover- foyer edition.

one of the best reasons to have a place of your own is so you can mix it up whenever and however you want.  i could spend hours and hours looking through home decor magazines and on-site design spaces (can't you?) for ideas and inspiration.  it's one of my favorite past times.  when i find something i love, i either pin it on pintrest or pull it out of a magazine and put it in my handy-dandy "idea book."  

i'll admit it- i love a good project.  but more than anything, i love doing them on the cheap (money cheap- not quality cheap) & that's why, when our entry way drove me crazy on more days then one, i threw in the towel and decided we needed a change.  something fresh, but nothing that would break the bank.

since we moved in, we've had a rug- or maybe a fine carpet?- hanging in our entryway.  at first, it was a great piece for the space, but over the years, as we continued to evolve our style and decorate our home, it just didn't fit in anymore.  i love the texture of the rug and the size of it- but the colors are all off- and it just had to go.

 

 so, i ceremoniously removed the rug and the curtain rod from the wall.  i patched the holes and repainted the wall.

 

then, using pieces i've had lying around the house, purchased artwork and of course, our newest addition- robbie, i slowly began the hanging process.  i have to be honest, i always get so nervous to hang things.  i know that probably sounds silly, but it kinda intimidates me.  i hate the idea of hammering a nail in the wall only to realize i hung everything too high or too low.  needless to say, it takes me forever to hang anything.

but i busted out the hammer and nails and went to work.  and i happen to love the way it turned out.  

 

for now, i absolutely love this wall & i love the way it looks when we walk into the house- but after reading this article from young house love, i think i want to fill the entire wall with pictures and memories.  then, i think it would be very best welcome statement- ever.

a thursday diy.

hopefully, if you're anything like me, you might be interested in a quick diy project for the weekend.  i know i might be jumping the gun, but i am so ready for the weekend.  & i just can't help myself.  i figured this way you would have enough time to plan, pick-up the materials, and get busy as soon as the weekend hits...isn't that sweet of me?

anyway, look how amazingly cute this project is.  

{via honestly wtf}

right?!?  and the fact that you can make it only makes this bracelet that much more adorable.  so gather up your supplies and head on over to honestly wtf* for the full tutorial.  i'm sure you'll be making a ton and giving them out as gifts for any and all occasions.  

happy diy-ing!

*you're going to love this site.  they have a lot of great diy fashion projects, awesome fashion finds, trends and some of the latest happenings.  i've never been much of a fashionista, but this year i'm determined to bring a little style into my life & wardrobe.  i've almost taken solid classics to a whole new, boring level.