{ ...psst }

blog moves

2010-03-02T22:54:00.000-08:00

So, I think I'm moving the blog over here. I'm going to be testing it out for a week just to be sure but I'm pretty pleased so far. I figure that it's better to change now, while I'm still new to the blogging world, right? I do love change... please meet me over there!

le bachelor

2010-03-01T23:39:00.000-08:00

Well, no shame here - I've been addicted to watching The Bachelor. What did I take away from tonight's finale? Aside from the obvious (yes, I really liked Tenley), please put me in that setting...

weekend highlight: center of the universe {aka vancouver}

2010-02-28T22:03:00.000-08:00

At 7am on Friday we set out for a daylong excursion in Vancouver. We drove to Bellingham and then caught the train across the border and into the city. After waiting close to an hour to get through customs, we were there. Though we ~~couldn't afford~~ didn't have any event tickets, we got a great glimpse of the Olympic Village, BC Place, Russia House, Hockey Place, Irish House, LiveCity and then...the flame. Walking the streets (soaking wet) and being a part of all the excitement was the best way to spend a Friday. The highlights of the day for me: acting the age of the children seated in front of us while waiting to detrain, building our own inukshuk along false creek, squeezing into a local pub for Stella and warmth, Landon making us get on the Canadian news and finally making it to the flame. About 17 hours later, we were home..incredibly tired, legs hurting, still cold but completely satisfied :)

loves list

2010-02-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

which one are you {today}? * i still think about you in my purse * there will be a wall for this one day * white + rustic wins me over * today's dose of funny * hang it and let it encourage you to go * when your thursday is your friday * being grown up but keeping this spirit

photo via haute design

max wanger { take two }

2010-02-24T22:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry folks, it's apparent that just one post won't do. I've fallen in love with these new photos from the ever-so-talented Max Wanger.

speaking of snow...

2010-02-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

found via all the mountains

seattle blossoms

2010-02-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

Back at home, in Mississippi, they're expecting another round of snow and here in Seattle, we've been seeing cherry blossoms everywhere! While I must admit that I'm envious of seeing the South so beautifully covered, I am thankful we haven't had any of it here (at least in the city). For now, I'm enjoying this spring tease.

illustration by library lindy

erik natzke

2010-02-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

it's only monday?

2010-02-22T22:30:00.001-08:00

I can already tell what type of week this is shaping out to be...that being said, I'll be lucky to post something lovely and interesting (and keep my husband fed) :) Don't you sometimes just wish you could break free from what's expected and just GO? Me too. I guess that means I'd be somewhere exotic and finding simple ways to entertain myself. Ah, one can daydream.

lust list - banana

2010-02-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

weekend highlight: sunsets { and s'mores }

2010-02-22T02:50:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a weekend for those of us in Seattle...perfect weather! We started our Saturday with a nice walk around Green Lake, stopped for lunch in Woodinville and then headed out to Golden Gardens Park to watch the sunset. Thanks to the friendly guys that shared their fire pit, we were able to enjoy our s'mores and have prime seating to watch the most beautiful day come to a close. I'm hearing this spring weather goodness will continue through some of this week. Four work days and then we're heading to Vancouver!

loves list

2010-02-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

loving these romantic pieces * definitely have some friends who would appreciate this * possibly the cutest engagement photos ever * now this is where i'd like to shop * ahhh, ben * yes, i'll go here with you * and yes this will make you smile

photo via tig

petra defkova

2010-02-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

seattle at 2.5

2010-02-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe I've been living in Seattle now a little more than two and a half years. That's the same amount of time I was living in LA prior. Baffling to me! I guess because I lived in one (amazing) house the entire time in LA and since being in Seattle, I've moved {sigh} four times. I've done Belltown, First Hill, Lower Queen Anne and now Beacon Hill. In case you're wondering, it's way too many times to move and we're both ready to call 'some'place our own for a nice, long while. I have the need to color a wall, hang great artwork and replace ugly knobs :) Soon enough...

korean vogue

2010-02-18T04:21:00.000-08:00

street etiquette

2010-02-17T11:11:00.000-08:00

Talk about stylish men. I love how Joshua and Travis show off great clothes and then explore the history behind them. "The duffle coat first became popular during WWI by the British Royal Navy and was later modified in WWII. The coat was primarily used by Navy seamen to battle the cold winds and wet environment.The toggles on the coat were originally designed to make it easy for the seaman to easily remove and fasten the toggles while still wearing his thick gloves."

happy mid-week

2010-02-17T00:32:00.000-08:00

It's late, I'm finishing a project, I'm daydreaming of summer and packing up the winter clothes...

photography by bersa

still want

2010-02-16T21:36:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...you've all seen them (but I still want them).

smile

2010-02-16T17:09:00.000-08:00

I've watched this video so many times and I just keep grinning. You should also stick around and look at some of his photography (envious of his passport).

sasquatch music festival

2010-02-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

My husband just sent me this link. Yes.

weekend highlight: hearty pizza

2010-02-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

As soon as I saw the advertisement for Papa Murphy's heart-shaped pizza, I was sold. We typically celebrate Valentine's with pizza and champagne (in the comforts of our own home), so this was perfect.

blog issues

2010-02-15T12:21:00.000-08:00

No, it's not just because I got zero sleep last night - there really are some issues with the blog today. So check back tomorrow for new posts and hopefully a restored site :)

friday night { at home }

2010-02-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

It has been a tiring week for us with too much work and not enough sleep. Cheers to watching the Olympics opening ceremony tonight and a 'no alarm' weekend! Need a last minute V-day gift? Highly suggest this ecard from charity: water. A $20 card gives a person clean water for 20 years. Plus, 100% of your money goes to freshwater projects in developing nations. Happy { restful } weekend, friends!

lust list - j.crew

2010-02-11T09:41:00.001-08:00

Just for fun, I'll start this series so I can 'window' shop online and see all the pretty things out there that I don't need and probably can't afford.

color me katie

2010-02-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

You know, when I'm thinking about Valentines...I keep thinking about the blog, Color Me Katie. Have you checked it out before? Wow, this girl is incredibly imaginative, entirely colorful and definitely makes the world (esp. her NY neighborhood) a better place. You have to browse through her whimsical projects and I'm pretty certain they'll leave you smiling. Here's a peek...

v-day

2010-02-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

I must admit, I've never really been into Valentines. It usually cheeses me out but for some reason, this year, I'm excited! Not about a romantic dinner, roses, candles, etc (yikes) but just about doing something fun together. We'll be going to the UW vs USC men's basketball game that Thursday night (their next to last game) and it's these types of things that I look forward to have an excuse to fork over a little money for. Also, it's kind of dreary weather today and seeing pink all over the web is pleasing. This cute sketch above is from Jason Wu for Vogue.

is it spring yet?

2010-02-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

Doesn't this sweet collage just make you smile? It does for me :)

snowy amsterdam

2010-02-09T03:45:00.000-08:00

via Cup of Joe

yoshitomo nara

2010-02-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

While I'm not a fan of all his art, there are a few pieces that I usually can't stop looking at. I first encountered an actual work of Yoshitomo Nara while acting as a docent for an AIA Home Tour in the Pacific Palisades. The one that hung in this person's residence was this one and the detail was all in the eyes. In searching for more of his work - I fell in love with the one above, The Little Star Dweller, 2006.

that google ad

2010-02-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

I just loved this Super Bowl ad so much!

weekend highlight: shilshole marina

2010-02-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Well, besides the obvious highlight of the Saints big win on Sunday, Saturday was a great day here in Seattle. Mild temperature, mostly sunny skies...I've said it before, on a sunny day - there's no where else I'd rather be. While I didn't take full advantage of the weather, I did get out for an afternoon drive and some nice time on a park bench. The air was crisp and there was just a hint of the smoke coming from the many fire pits provided by the park. Being at a marina feels like home (thanks Dad). Did you know Shilshole Bay Marina is the 'sailing center of the Northwest'? Lovely. Here's a few pictures...

friday night in seattle

2010-02-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to be here and ready to enjoy the weekend. I feel like we've experienced so much of this city but I'm determined to pull out the guide books and do something new. Happy Friday, friends!

le desert

2010-02-05T04:25:00.000-08:00

After experiencing Scottsdale, Vegas and Palm Springs - I'm convinced I could happily life my life in desert climate. I should clarify: hot desert climate. Maybe it's because my hair does so well in the dry heat, or that I love working out under intense sun (even though it's been a while), or because I'm not good at keeping plants alive, or maybe it's because I've been in a wonderful (but rainy) city for two years...in any case, I long for it.

my niece - carys

2010-02-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

I'll be writing more on her later - but you must know that my niece is incredibly adorable and growing up too far away from me in Mississippi. Her name's origin is Welsh and it means love. These were taken while getting ready for my wedding, when she was just about two months old.

Photos taken by Robby Followell

stéphane missier

2010-02-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

oh yes, it's true

2010-02-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

I talked my housemates (LA) into driving through Compton, because that's what we used to do for fun in the South. They had never even done it, so we did it, and I'm here to talk about it: small homes, big fences, and some surprisingly nice cars. It had just been ranked the most dangerous city in America...I think we can each agree it was a mini adrenaline rush.

aniston's home

2010-02-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

Based on her style (which is my favorite), I can't wait to take a look at her new home.

the hills - music

2010-02-04T04:40:00.000-08:00

You know the music is good, here's a rundown from each episode.

mixtape

2010-02-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

Found via Better Taste Than Sorry

yes, please

2010-02-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

Beautiful photos and inspiration, as always, from this blog.

bar nestle

2010-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Came across this design at a bookstore over the weekend. I love the simplicity and practicality of this structure (and also that it's white). Fulguro designed this bar for the 40th Montreux Jazz Festival, in Switzerland, back in 2006. The designers said their inspiration was paper boxes for chocolate packing. It's also economical - the design was conceived to be rebuilt and used again for the next two festivals. Isn't it nice that this is three years old and still looks current?

it's tonight

2010-02-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe it's finally here. I became a fan of this show while living in LA. Our house had LOST parties almost every week (there were rules: no talking till commercials, no questions, no moving) and we each fought over who got the leather chair. Also, Sawyer is from Jasper, AL and so is my husband. There's just so many good memories surrounding this show and all the time spend reflecting and proposing theories. I love it, the show is brilliant and I'm thrilled the premiere is here.

mast brothers chocolate

2010-02-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I just ran across this post. While getting Stumptown coffee in Portland this weekend, we noticed Mast Brothers Chocolate. Simplistic packaging (great feel), chocolate and Stumptown coffee? Winner combo. I'm regretting not buying some there but we will definitely be getting some here in Seattle soon. The brothers personally handcraft each chocolate, don't the photos make you want to try it more?

vogue

2010-02-01T13:33:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the Vogue documentary 'The September Issue' yet? You need to. Landon and I watched it and I was totally enthralled and inspired. It's a great peek at the life of American Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, the lesser-known Creative Director, Grace Coddington (who is brilliant), and all the work that goes into the 'big' issue.

weekend highlight: portland

2010-02-01T04:32:00.000-08:00

Landon suggested on Friday morning that we head to Portland for the weekend. It was perfect timing. We departed Friday around 3p and after a quick stop at my office, we were bound for a relaxing and fun weekend. We checked into our hotel (ahh, king bed!) and headed to the bar we both couldn't wait to get back to, Annex (you gotta have their Ruby beer). Stumptown for our Saturday morning coffee and then we headed to the wineries; loved Lange (esp. the '07 Pinot Noir). Then it was time for my favorite part of any hotel stay: in-room movie in bed. We watched The September Issue and made a late night run to Powell's books. The usual sections I gravitate towards in a book store...

Breakfast (cappuccino and chocolate croissant) at Ken's Artisan Bakery on Sunday and a drive out to Haystack Rock. We could not ever find any good radio stations, so this audiobook filled our time - which I think we're both grateful for. We're back and watching the Grammys, both thankful for our much-needed getaway.

friday night in ?

2010-01-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Landon has been a bit sneaky about possible weekend plans. Whatever we end up doing, here or there, I'm ready to relax and have fun. An overwhelming work week is an understatement and I'm thrilled to mentally checkout around 3p. Click on the picture and follow this couple's feet first adventures, love it. Happy Happy Friday!

oh yes, it's true

2010-01-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

I've applied for the FBI. Twice. (Go ahead, I know!) Actually, I was pretty serious about it in college, and again later after reading The Bureau and the Mole, but was convinced I would make their summer internship program in DC. So, I completed the book (aka application) and decided that if I didn't make the internship program that I would change my major to Interior Design and go that route. Agent or Designer - those were my two options. So, I didn't get the internship and spent two years working towards a design degree. Have no fear, come unemployment last year and at the advice of my mom (weird, right?), I applied once more...

vancouver olympics

2010-01-28T05:08:00.000-08:00

Landon booked our train tickets to Vancouver at the end of February. No, we aren't attending any games but we will be checking out the Olympic Village and maybe our regular favorite spots in the city. I've been needing a little getaway and since our trip is on Friday, a long weekend is not too far away. Can't wait!

where's rob?

2010-01-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

I'm probably behind on this, but this video is great. Brought some happiness to my day (along with sunshine in Seattle)!

oona patterson

2010-01-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

wallpaper* app

2010-01-27T05:18:00.000-08:00

Wallpaper* City Guides. You know them. You love them. Visiting Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, London, LA, Milan, New York, Paris, Rome of Toyko soon? If so, I can come be your personal tour guide. Or you can get the iPhone app for these best selling Wallpaper* guides.

seed.com

2010-01-26T16:22:00.000-08:00

So, I just submitted for seed.com. Have you tried it yet? Any luck? Process seemed pretty simple and I guess it's a waiting game now to see if I scored my $30 for the single photo submitted. The concept is interesting...if you're a writer, photographer or filmmaker - just sign up, browse the ads, claim one, click submit and your product might be hosted on one of AOL's extensive network of websites. This all seems reputable - so I think you should check it out too.

lester beall

2010-01-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

Iconic American graphic artist. A recently dedicated site developed by his family here. And a truthful quote I wished I had known when I was designing.

weekend highlight: saley

2010-01-25T09:09:00.000-08:00

I hadn't looked forward to a weekend as much as I did this one in a long time...and it was a good one. Here's Landon and I on Sunday morning anxiously waiting to try Saley crepes in Capitol Hill. As Seattle Times said, "...it's the closest thing you'll find to the French knock-'em-dead street food that won your heart in the first place." Saley is run by Aissa, a native of Niger, who works two round iron grills and greets everyone with a warm smile...and in return, everyone leaves smiling. (That's her working away in the background of our photo.)

friday night in london

2010-01-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

If I was in London, I would want to be here tonight. This is exactly the type of atmosphere I'm working towards this weekend. Happy Friday!

Photos via {caught the light}

best christmas card ever

2010-01-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

I feel like I'm breaking our Christmas rules even posting this but I just recently came across this holiday card and fell in love. It's quite possibly due to my love for this show { understatement }.

Photo via Sarah Yates

five year diary

2010-01-21T09:06:00.000-08:00

I'm impressed with myself - since Thanksgiving, I have recorded six lines a day in my new 5 Year Diary. I love it and get excited to summarize my daily events each night within the constraints provided. My sweet Mother-in-Law bought this for me from Crate & Barrel (or was it Pottery Barn...) but you can also get it here. Heart it!

ever just wanted to try?

2010-01-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

I have and this is where I intend to be this weekend.

the simple life

2010-01-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

Here's an image of where Crayon colors began and where they are now... Lately, I've been struggling with longing for a simpler life. I appreciate our technology today, but I wish for less distractions. I hear a song like this and daydream of it's era.

The latest issue of GOOD magazine is titled Slow down. Architects are designing around slowing us down, ~~making~~ allowing us to interact with our surroundings. New cookware is designed to reconnect us with the physicality of food preparation. There's even computer downloads that will take over your screen to immediately simplify (literally, think typewriter) to avoid unnecessary distractions. Here's a challenge from GOOD: commit hours (if not a full day) to no email, messenger, phone, Google or Facebook. Just thinking about it makes me relaxed. "Maybe the best way to slow down is to sleep a little more, and pay more attention when you're awake." - Esther Dyson

3191 miles apart

2010-01-19T06:19:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this blog? Best friends, 3191 miles apart, each posting weekly of their experiences and inspirations to share with each other (and thankfully the rest of us). The two friends met online and began a year long project of posting photos each morning...then a year long project of evenings. Now both are published and I can't wait to take a peek.

montreal

2010-01-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

My best friend Mollie and I met up in Montreal back in May 2008. Here's a random list of my favorites from our trip (always in order of priority...so food first). What we OD'd on the entire trip: croissants. (Did you know the origin of the croissant is from Austria and not France?) Dinner at DaVinci's is an absolute must, considering it's the best Italian food in the city and every important person has been there...there's a wall to prove it. Best dining atmosphere was Boris Bistro, we sat in dimly lit courtyard behind an old building facade, among trees, rocks and open skies. Amazing hotel and our concierge loved Mollie (probably because she attempted to speak French as often as possible, whereas I gave up). There's also a whole underground city, which is the largest underground complex in the world (yes, that should freak you out). Just walking up to St. Joseph's Oratory was incredible and there are still hundreds (thousands?) of canes left from those that made pilgrimages to be healed there. Spooky light show (at night) inside Notre-Dame. Quebec City? That's a hopeful visit for this year...

haiti

2010-01-18T10:48:00.000-08:00

We're all in the same boat here...feeling somewhat helpless and watching unbelievable tragedy occur in front of our eyes. I'm certain it's so much worse than what we're seeing or reading. Our pastor, Mark Driscoll, arrived in Haiti this morning and a soldier immediately told him, "You will now see a crisis of Biblical proportions." Even watching this segment on 60 Minutes last night was eye-opening. Here are places you can contribute, I'm so thankful we have easy ways to give: World Vision + Red Cross. Pray for these children, these parents, these brothers and sisters and grandparents that may have lost all they've ever known. Pray for God to give them a comfort and peace they can't understand. Pray that something good may come from something terrible. Just don't forget to pray for them.

were your parents awesome?

2010-01-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

I've spent many hours here.

new LA hotel

2010-01-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

Back behind this setting, the building, the clients, the firm and the architects (past all the important people) was a girl - doing lots of drafting and redlines. Feels cool to know I helped in some minor capacity.

our family grew

2010-01-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

We've acquired an Xbox. It's only a matter of time before I never see my husband again.

SATC 2

2010-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Because I'm a girl. And as much I want to deny it, I'm excited.

a great find

2010-01-14T06:59:00.000-08:00

Pictures posted on this blog, along with many others, can be found at my other site.

daily inspiration

2010-01-11T22:28:00.000-08:00

This is a beautiful site for design inspiration. Here's a particular favorite of mine..it has that Scottish, regal, oh-wait-that's-where-i-always-envisioned-my-wedding look. (Ok, so the castle is in Germany, whatever).

Love this one too, it has that lets-get-lost-this-weekend-at-some-countryside-inn..{ you get the drift }.

instapaper

2010-01-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

My husband has me hooked on Instapaper. Sign up (free) and it loads a 'Read Later' tab in Firefox. See an article or page you want to read later? Click this tab when you're on the site you want to save, a pop-up lets you know it's been saved and then you can access via your computer, iPhone or Kindle whenever you'd like.

the sartorialist

2010-01-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

Because I know you've already heard of, are inspired by, love and follow it. Want to know if you're Sartorialist material? Follow this handy guide. Still want more?

finally friday

2010-01-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

A particular country radio station used to play this song every Friday morning (their own mix), it brings back such great memories of those morning back in the south... happy (finally) friday, friends :)

life at 1.3

2010-01-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

Landon and I have been married one year and (almost) three months. I'll share more pictures from our wedding day and maybe a video or three. We loved our photographer and these two above are a couple of our favorites.

resolution

2010-01-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

I might be the last person to think about New Years resolutions this year, seven days late. Well, the one resolution that I like the best (and oddly enough is more realistic than me cutting out sweets for one day) is this and this. I am determined to spend days climbing Mt Rainier while I'm living in Seattle and am leaning toward this excursion.

Photos via TroyMason

max wanger

2010-01-06T16:00:00.000-08:00

one day

2010-01-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Two things (of many) Mom always told me growing up, that I didn't believe at the time:

One day you'll like coffee.

One day you'll turn off the lights when you pay your own bills.

coffee tip

2010-01-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Have a coffee maker like most of us? Here's a brewing tip from one my favorite local coffee shops, Victrola: Start your brew, allowing the water to soak the grounds and then stop the process for 15-30 seconds. This allows the grinds to "bloom", allowing air to escape which helps the remaining water to evenly flow through the grounds.

parisian fare

2010-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

With the success of Julie and Julia, it's an appropriate time to create this post. I'm quickly loving this blog and do intend to try as many of these recipes as I can. So, while I'm still here in the states, I'll pretend I'm cooking in Paris (Tarte Flambee tomorrow night). The writer/chef/mother is from France, now lives in Austin, TX and divides her time between both.

Photo via The French Fork

friend in greece

2010-01-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, Amy, is currently having what I intend to hear was the most amazing trip to Greece. I am so anxious to hear about the scenery, the food, the culture, the food and the food when she returns.

city secrets

2010-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

For all you travelers out there, if you find yourself visiting one of these fantastic cities (Rome, London, Florence/Venice, New York) for the second time around, check out these little books. One of our favorite finds from City Secrets London was Berry Brothers & Rudd. Located at 3 St James and est. 1698, this is Britain's oldest wine & spirits shop. Notable buyers include Napolean III, Lord Byron, William Pitt and Aga Khan...etc. On the wall, is the actual certificate of loss from the Titanic’s owners, who were sorry to report the submergence of 69 cases of the company’s wine (still unrecovered). Need more? A tunnel from deep within the wine cellar of Berry Bros purportedly connects to St James Palace and we get an insider's peek here.

tipsycakes

2010-01-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Champagne and Guinness flavored cupcakes from Wink.

life after holiday

2010-01-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

~~Paris for the holidays was magical~~. Sorry, hopeful writing. Actually home (Mississippi and Alabama) was wonderful. Being so far from family makes our time back with them so precious and the comforts of home so enjoyable. We nixed the two days in New Orleans to spend more time with family. Our new years was pretty quiet in Seattle, which was nice. We had discussed Paris to ring in 2010 but our savings disagreed - here's to Paris for 2011! Click the photo for links to more beautiful, wintry photos of The City of Light and daydream it's the surroundings outside your office tomorrow...

Photos via The Cherry Blossom Girl

fact

2010-01-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

As an ode to Dwight Schrute (or just because, like many of you, I'm a sucker for interesting facts), I thought I'd start a series of 'fact' posts. Since we recently visited the WWII Museum in New Orleans, the mere fact that Nola was chosen to house this museum is great to know: The main reason the museum is located in New Orleans is because the city was where the "Higgins Boats," vital to D-Day operations were designed, built, and tested. These landing craft were designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana and produced in New Orleans by Higgins Industries. My dad has an interesting story about Mr. Higgins himself, which I'll keep to myself but it was insightful and humorous, nonetheless.

international first class

2010-01-03T00:24:00.000-08:00

This is not to brag. I probably wouldn't be writing about it if I had actually paid for it...but we did end up getting it. Landon & I were flying to London for New Years in 2007. Either by way of our southern hospitality and understanding amidst flight cancellations or behind the scenes work by my mother, we ended up flying first class to Dublin (hence, flight cancellation). We had no clue of our seat status till we stepped on the plane and were offered mimosas. Funny story though, as we expected to be seated in coach for an 8+ hour flight, we felt it necessary to use aids at our disposal (enter tylenol pm and wine) to help the time pass. We learned immediately after being seated that during the course of our flight we would have access to a 5-course meal. Knowing good and well we wouldn't be able to stay awake, Landon placed a special request for the ice cream sundae, immediately. Seats laid almost fully back, eye shades, noise-canceling headphones...asleep. Truly, our experience sleeping comfortably in first class was unforgettable.

a welcome

2010-01-02T23:51:00.000-08:00

Almost a year ago now was the inauguration of President Obama. A nice prayer for his welcome into office from Vatican Pope Benedict XVI:

I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, co-operation and peace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of life which God wills to set for the whole human family. I offer cordial good wishes, together with the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high responsibilities. more well wishes

do you etsy?

2010-01-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

After Landon had some successful sells on Etsy, I decided to give it a try. No doubt the unemployment status earlier last year encouraged this effort to try to make some money. While I’ve actually sold some photos, the process of ’setting up shop’ was fun and I think it’s an excellent format for anyone to use. Landon's Etsy + My Etsy

shigeru ban

2010-01-01T00:52:00.000-08:00

A favorite experience I had while living in LA and working with Gensler, was attending opening night of the Nomadic Museum in Santa Monica (designed by Shigeru Ban). The structure, created from shipping containers, was fascinating and created a surprisingly engaging and grand interior for the art displayed. (Ok, so I have to also admit here that I saw more celebrities up close this one night in LA than all others combined.) Shigeru is known for his use of natural materials, specifically recycled paper. His work using paper tubes, following the Kobe earthquake, to house disaster victims is particularly one of my favorites.

Photo by David Paul Green

super 8 downtown graceland

2009-12-31T23:57:00.000-08:00

Upon being quizzed on Elvis's death tonight by Landon, I proceeded to remind him of our Graceland experience in college. We were in town for Memphis in May and thought we were staying at much nicer hotel, but ended up at the Super 8 Motel Downtown Graceland. I never thought I would actually stay in one of these, but wanting to be the low maintenance girl Landon always dreamed of, I went right along with it. Our floor was moist and the walls paper thin. There was also six of us in one room and Landon and Aaron being the perfect gentlemen, slept on the floor. The next morning I woke up early (fixed my hair/makeup to appear that I woke up looking like that) and started to study...I thought this would impress Landon, I have no idea why. Then he woke up, didn't even glance at me, grabbed his Bible and headed outside to have a morning devotional. His plan trumped mine.

ending 2009

2009-12-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

Started my new job three months into the year
Four day roadtrip with Amy Lewallen (Jackson, MS to Seattle)
LA trip for friends, food, dodgers and wineries
Began our love for soccer thanks to the Seattle Sounders
Experienced the Gorge and Coldplay, together
Memorable hike with Amy on Mt. Rainier
Rock 'n Roll 1/2 Marathon (OK, mostly walked)
Seafair, the Puyallup Fair, and Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Celebrated one year of marriage
My niece, Carys Dossett, also celebrated her first birthday
Moved to a bigger (and less expensive place)
Ferry to Victoria, BC
Family beach trip in Orange Beach, AL
Landon experienced Vegas for his first time (via a 3 hr layover)

home for the holidays

2009-12-21T23:04:00.001-08:00

Took this photo last year from our balcony on a snowy day in Seattle. We leave tomorrow for a Southern Christmas: two days in Alabama, two in Mississippi and two (for fun) in Louisiana. Home is perfect, so glad we're almost there.

devil wears prada

2009-12-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

How many times have you actually seen this movie? - Chelsea
I'm afraid if I guess too high, I'd be guessing too low. - Landon

fresh start

2009-12-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

I've started a blog before, just kept it private. However, I only got 3 posts into it, felt like it was a big commitment and freaked out (a tendency of mine in the past, ask my husband). The reality is, it's for fun. I think I'll have things I want to share, but most of all - things I want to remember.