Twosday: Spotted in Nature

Tuolumne Meadows

One of my favorite places to experience nature...looking forward to our annual family camping trip in July! Spotted that Buck (and about 5 others) in the Meadow on our trip last year. 

SF Bridesmaids Weekend

Thanks to my little blogging break, I'm way behind in sharing all the fun things that have been keeping me away! 

A few weeks ago, a couple of my girlfriends came to town so we could celebrate one of our best friends who is getting married this September! It was a special bridesmaid weekend we planned to shop for dresses and spend time together celebrating Erica's upcoming wedding. It was such a wonderful weekend. We've all been friends for years (we're talking since we were like, 8) so there is never a shortage of conversation and laughter! 

We decided to make the most of our weekend and turn it into a sleepover at my house. We kicked Andrew out of the house Friday night so we could have the place to ourselves, (thanks babe)! We went to an amazing sushi dinner, then out for a couple drinks before heading back to the house. It was such a fun night. Something about this group of girls is unlike any other. We're completely ourselves around each other. We share so many secrets, hysterical memories, and have basically grown up together so it feels like family. I feel so blessed to call them my friends for so many years!

Saturday we were up early for the main event, dress shopping! Erica has chosen blush for the color, and we're all able to pick our own dresses. The first shop we went to was my favorite. There were plenty of styles and designers to choose from and the decor was adorable. I think everyone found a dress they liked here, but since it was our first stop no one made a purchase.

Kristin, the MOH, had planned a perfect day for us. After the first couple hours of shopping, we headed across the bridge for a very special brunch! The wedding will be at Cavallo Point this September, which is the most stunning location just a short drive the Golden Gate bridge. It was the perfect setting for our brunch because it created even more excitement around Erica's special day! Plus I don't think Jacquie or Joy had ever been there, so it was fun for them to visit before the big day. After we ate, we spent a few minutes walking around the property envisioning the wedding. It was a beautiful day, no fog in sight!

Right where Erica and Corrie will say "I Do"

Next, we were off to try on more dresses! I didn't take many pictures the rest of the afternoon, but we all got an idea of what style of dress we wanted, and have since been shopping on our own to find the perfect dress.

After a long day of shopping, we headed back to my house for a few hours to relax. We made a huge spread of cheese, crackers, veggies, and snacks and shared a few bottles of wine while reminiscing on the old days. It was a perfect afternoon with some of my very best friends!

Later that night, we got ready and decided to go out for a few drinks! It was so fun to have a true girls night, we laughed and talked for hours!

On Sunday morning, Jacquie decided to head home early to see her kiddos since she'd been away from them for 2 nights. I know she had a fun, and well deserved, mini-vacation! But we were sad to see her go, because it was time for our next activity, the Giants game!

It couldn't have been a more perfect day for a game! Sunny and warm, the perfect combination for an afternoon at the ball park! And bonus, it was a great game. There were a few great plays and it ended with a walk off home run by Hicks! It was Joy's first Giants game, so I consider her our good luck charm now :)

You know I love Pence! 

After years of friendship; moving to new places, supporting each other through both hard times and exciting times, our friendship has remained intact and is stronger than ever. I'm so thankful Erica's wedding has given us the excuse to plan so many weekends together this year. These girls mean the world to me, and I am so thankful for their friendship!

Joy put together this cute video with Flipagram that sums up our weekend perfectly! It was so great spending time with the girls, and I can't wait for the next time we'll all be together again in a few weeks! 

I'm not sure if the video works on iPads/iPhones but it should work okay on a computer. FYI there is music to the video if you're at work :)

Twosday: Back In Time

Andrew's antique pocket watch.

I love antiques and family heirlooms, so it was hard to decide what to photograph for this weeks link up. But when I spotted this antique pocket watch on our dresser, I knew it would be perfect.
A piece from back in time, that tells time. 

Eleven Questions

The lovely Stephanie tagged me in a fun little post called Eleven Questions. I was so happy she tagged me and thought it was the perfect way to jump back into blogging after an unintentional two week break! I'm ready to be back at it, so here it goes...

1. What was your favorite cartoon growing up? 

If you can believe it, we didn't have cable until I was going in to high school, so I didn't spend too much time watching TV. No single cartoon stands out, but I do remember watching The Smurfs and Scooby Doo at my Grandma's house. 

2. If you could live anywhere in the world for just one year, where would you choose?

This is an easy question. Italy. I think anywhere in Tuscany, a small village where I could learn the language and become part of the community. On weekends, I would travel all around Europe. I try to convince Andrew we should do this all the time, he hasn't agreed...yet

3. Who (or what) inspires you the most?

This is a tough one. But at the moment I will say my Dad. This weekend we were home visiting my parents. My Dad recently had a bunch of his old slides and pictures made into digital files and was showing them to us. He has pictures from traveling all over the world; hiking, climbing, & camping. The Abraham Lincoln quote: "It's not the years in your life but the life in your years." comes to mind. Andrew and I were talking about how we want to live our lives not just content in our little "corner" of the bay area, but to travel all over and have new experiences and meet new people. 

4. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm proud my myself for moving to San Francisco. It was scary leaving the comfort of my small town filled with friends and family and my great job in Sacramento. I went against the advice of nearly everyone important in my life. But, I followed my gut and knew my desire for adventure (see above) was worth the risk. And I knew, I could always move back if it didn't work out. It turned out to be one of the greatest decisions I've ever made. Plus, it led me to start this blog, something else I'm proud of. 

5. What advice would you give your 16-year old self?

Don't try to grow up too fast. At 16, all I could think about was graduating high school, hurrying off to college and starting a career. I wish I took the time to enjoy being young and carefree. Soak it up a bit more and enjoy each stage for what it was. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time in High School, but I was always looking ahead rather than living in the moment.

6. What super power would you most like to have?

Teleportation. That way, we could go visit our families easily anytime! It would make traveling much easier, faster, and cheaper! :) 

7. What is your favorite junk food item (you know, the one you definitely shouldn't eat but you just can't resist)?

Do I have to pick just one? - I'm not the girl who craves candy and sweets. I LOVE cheese, in mass amounts. Like, don't leave me alone with a wedge of brie and a baguette. And I can't resist Mac n' Cheese or Nachos either (see everything involves cheese)! 

8. What is your hidden talent?

I'm not sure if I have a hidden talent. I can't even roll my tongue or whistle! But I am really crafty, so I guess that's something? I wish I had a better answer for this one, I'm so boring! 

9. What is the weirdest thing you believed as a child?

Hmmm...the first thing that comes to mind is a trick my sister played on me. We loved the movie Steel Magnolias at our house. My sister and I can both quote the entire thing, I couldn't even tell you how many times I've seen it. We always relate things back to the movie. Anyways, my sister told me that Julia Roberts had to die to film that movie! (Spoiler, her character dies). And of course I believed anything my big sister told me. So I thought, if an actor dies in a movie, they die in real life too. Kind of a mean trick, sister! I'm so gullible. 

10. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what are the first three things you'd do?

Invest. Travel. Buy a house.

11. Beach or Mountains?

Mountains. Hands down. I love being in the mountains hiking, camping, & exploring. I love the crisp, clean mountain air, it's so peaceful and beautiful. The trouble is, Andrew loves the ocean. Luckily he also loves the mountains. But I guess we better find somewhere in between. 

*********

The rules say I need to tag eleven other bloggers to play along with a new set of questions. So I'm tagging: Kasey, Chantal, Cara, Laura, Erin, Kathleen, Kristin, Brooke, The Lane, Amanda and Brandi. 

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

2. What is your most prized possession? 

3. What is the best vacation you've ever taken? Why?

4. What did you do last weekend?

5. Do you remember your dreams? 

6. If there was a movie made about your life, what actor would you want to play you?

7. Where is your favorite place to travel to?

8. What is the best dish you make? (bonus: add a link to the recipe)

9. What is your favorite room in your home? Why?

10. If you could have lunch with a famous person, who would it be?

11. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card if you never had to pay it off?

Let me know if you decide to participate, I can't wait to read your answers! :) 

April Instagram Round-Up

// Waterlouge is one of my favorite apps to play with! I love the soft and whimsical look it creates //

// A beautiful sunny day in San Francisco will bring a smile to anyone's face! //

// Go Giants! Although I was stuck in the office on opening day, I tried to fine my most work appropriate orange shirt to celebrate the start of my favorite sports season! //

// Sisters! It was national sibling day, so of course I had to create a fun collage of both vintage and recent pictures of my sister and I. She is the best, I so wish we were closer. I miss her! //

// Corrie's Dirty 30 at the Sharks Game in San Jose! Erica made us all matching shirts and koozies to celebrate, it was SO much fun! //

// Sitting right on the glass with my closest friends for my first Sharks Game, definitely an impossible experience to beat! We had the Presidents Suite before the game too! Corrie should turn 30 every year...//

// Sharks! Disappointing loss last night...my friends would be impressed I actually watched quite a bit of the game and Andrew wasn't even home! //

// My first Giants game of the season with one of my best friends! Extra innings against the Dodgers! We didn't leave the stadium until after midnight. After the game the announcer said, "Good Morning San Francisco!" haha //

// Getting my oil changed on my lunch break, and found the cutest little coffee shop to sit and enjoy a latte and my book...confession: I dropped out of book club because I was so far behind. #bookclubdropout //

// My favorite face to see in the morning! My sister came down for the Dodger Giants game a few weeks ago and stayed with us. I loved getting some good morning snuggles from Phillip before I left for work. Wish it could have been a longer visit! //

// #TBT love this old picture I found of my friend and I in high school! I can't wait for her upcoming wedding, love that we've remained close for so many years. I also wish I still had that jacket...//

// I was so happy to be down in the warm Southern California sunshine for Easter weekend! We spent one afternoon walking around Encinitas and watching the surf from Swamis! //

// The cutest shop ever! I loved this little home decor/gift shop in Encinitas...I took a ton of pictures for inspiration and future DIY projects! //

// The Carlsbad Flower Fields in full bloom! //

// Let's Go Giants!...Sadly, we lost. But it was fun going to Petco Park and I was definitely surrounded by many other Giants fans! //

// Happy Easter! We spent Sunday driving home, but it was still a great weekend with Andrew's family in San Diego. I sure do miss my family though...//

//Twosday: one of my favorite link-ups with Stephanie Court. I loved this edition of "Windows & Doors." I still need to share the rest of our day spent at this cute apple farm! //

// Another picture from the Carlsbad Flower Fields. You guys are probably sick of them by now, but I can't get enough! I am going to frame some for the house. //

// I still owe you a recap of my weekend with the girls. It was SO great to all be together...there were many laughs and memories made. It was such a wonderful weekend with the girls I love most. I am so blessed to have maintained these friendships for so many years. //

// Girls day at the ball park! It was an awesome game with a walk off home run by Hicks to end it! Such a fun day! //

// A run on the beach last night to close out April! It was a great month! I'm loving this beautiful weather we're having in SF, I don't want it to end! //

// Bonus: I tried uploading this from the Padres v. Giants game
 on Easter weekend but I guess it never went through!  //

I think this might be a record breaking month for Instagram! Look at all these pictures :) What a fun month it was, jam packed! I'm looking forward to some quieter weekends in the city in May...

I hope you're all having a great week! I am so happy tomorrow is Friday. We have a low key weekend planned, I'm hoping for a lot of time spent outdoors!