Most of us would be upset if we were accused of being ‘silly.’ But the word ‘silly’ comes from the old English word ‘selig,’ and its literal definition is ‘to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous.
— Zig Ziglar
Natalie's Bridal Shower!!!
The shower was definitely a success! It was so wonderful to get everyone together and seeing Natalie so happy made my week. :) Enjoy the pics from her special day. A huge thanks to Natalie's Mom, Stepmom Linda, sister Emily, Randi, my Mom and Pinterest for helping to make this day so special!
Lots of flowers!
Mason Jars for "The Natalie"
"The Natalie"... it went down a little too smoothly!
The Bar
A little burlap to hide the TV and pin lots of pics of Nat & Brent.
N+B=Love Sweet Love
Everyone left their 2 cents for the Bride.
"Just like Natalie... a sweet treat."
My advice, and yes I stole this from a country song...
Watch out!
Gettin' Hitched
Eat, Drink and be Married
Me and the Beautiful Bride
Show us your boots!
:)
A fun little game we played... Natalie and Brent know each other pretty well!
She looks so happy.
So sweet.
Happy
The whole gang
Kick up your boots!
Sassy!
Mom and her girls
And of course, the groom to sweep away all the presents! Thanks for getting married guys... can't wait for your special day! LOVE YOU!
Jason Mraz- Everything is Sound
Heard this song in the car today and TOTALLY rocked out to it!
He is coming to San Diego in September and I can't wait to see him, enjoy!
He is coming to San Diego in September and I can't wait to see him, enjoy!
Eat, Drink & Be Married
Putting all the finishing touches together for Natalie's Bridal Shower and I can barely even sit down because I'm so excited for tomorrow. The flowers are cut, the ingredients are bought and the bows are tied. Can't wait for a fun day! Here's the signature cocktail for tomorrow's fun...
"The Natalie"
-2 parts sweet
-1 part sassy
-always refreshing...
"The Natalie"
1 can frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
6 cans of light beer (I use Michelob Golden Draft but Koors Light or Bud Light would work great as well)
1/2 can vodka (give or take)
1 lemon cut into slices
1 lime cut into slices or wedges
1 cup fresh raspberries
Ice
Combine the concentrates, beer and vodka in a large container. Place the lemons, limes and raspberries on top. They should float. I add a few cubes of ice as well.
Serve on top of lots of ice. Garnish with additional lemon, lime and raspberries.
Enjoy!
Top Ten Rules for Being Human
Rule One - You will receive a body. Whether you love it or hate it, it's yours for life, so accept it. What counts is what's inside.
Rule Two - You will be presented with lessons. Life is a constant learning experience, which every day provides opportunities for you to learn more. These lessons are specific to you, and learning them 'is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life'.
Rule Three - There are no mistakes, only lessons. Your development towards wisdom is a process of experimentation, trial and error, so it's inevitable things will not always go to plan or turn out how you'd want. Compassion is the remedy for harsh judgment - of ourselves and others. Forgiveness is not only divine - it's also 'the act of erasing an emotional debt'. Behaving ethically, with integrity, and with humour - especially the ability to laugh at yourself and your own mishaps - are central to the perspective that 'mistakes' are simply lessons we must learn.
Rule Four - The lesson is repeated until learned. Lessons repeat until learned. What manifest as problems and challenges, irritations and frustrations are more lessons - they will repeat until you see them as such and learn from them. Your own awareness and your ability to change are requisites of executing this rule. Also fundamental is the acceptance that you are not a victim of fate or circumstance - 'causality' must be acknowledged; that is to say: things happen to you because of how you are and what you do. To blame anyone or anything else for your misfortunes is an escape and a denial; you yourself are responsible for you, and what happens to you. Patience is required - change doesn't happen overnight, so give change time to happen.
Rule Five - Learning does not end. While you are alive there are always lessons to be learned. Surrender to the 'rhythm of life', don't struggle against it. Commit to the process of constant learning and change - be humble enough to always acknowledge your own weaknesses, and be flexible enough to adapt from what you may be accustomed to, because rigidity will deny you the freedom of new possibilities.
Rule Six - "There" is no better than "here". The other side of the hill may be greener than your own, but being there is not the key to endless happiness. Be grateful for and enjoy what you have, and where you are on your journey. Appreciate the abundance of what's good in your life, rather than measure and amass things that do not actually lead to happiness. Living in the present helps you attain peace.
Rule Seven - Others are only mirrors of you. You love or hate something about another person according to what love or hate about yourself. Be tolerant; accept others as they are, and strive for clarity of self-awareness; strive to truly understand and have an objective perception of your own self, your thoughts and feelings. Negative experiences are opportunities to heal the wounds that you carry. Support others, and by doing so you support yourself. Where you are unable to support others it is a sign that you are not adequately attending to your own needs.
Rule Eight - What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. Take responsibility for yourself. Learn to let go when you cannot change things. Don't get angry about things - bitter memories clutter your mind. Courage resides in all of us - use it when you need to do what's right for you. We all possess a strong natural power and adventurous spirit, which you should draw on to embrace what lies ahead.
Rule Nine - Your answers lie inside of you. Trust your instincts and your innermost feelings, whether you hear them as a little voice or a flash of inspiration. Listen to feelings as well as sounds. Look, listen, and trust. Draw on your natural inspiration.
Rule Ten - You will forget all this at birth. We are all born with all of these capabilities - our early experiences lead us into a physical world, away from our spiritual selves, so that we become doubtful, cynical and lacking belief and confidence. The ten Rules are not commandments, they are universal truths that apply to us all. When you lose your way, call upon them. Have faith in the strength of your spirit. Aspire to be wise - wisdom the ultimate path of your life, and it knows no limits other than those you impose on yourself.
Showers, and Bachelorettes and Weddings, Oh My!
Tis the season! This year I have 3 close friends getting married and I could not be happier for each of them. Looking forward to the start of these celebrations this weekend with Natalie's Bridal Shower. The party continues with the Bachelorettes and then the weddings in September and October. I just spent the last few minutes re-watching the amazing video that Nick made after the proposal. It made me cry like a little baby because I'm so happy for them. Love is in the air, and so are some seriously FUN weekends ahead over the next few months! YAY!! Click below to watch the video.
My Summer 2012 Must Haves!
While there's no reason to splurge and go Jimmy Choo for this option, there's also no reason for your wardrobe to be lacking a simple pair of metallic wedges. They go with anything and everything! 
A bright red blazer adds a great pop of color to any summer outfit. I got mine from the Gap on sale for less than $50. Pair with white jeans and your metallic wedges for a great summer look. 
It's just my opinion that adding a little bit of "girly" to any look never hurt anyone! A colorful and chunky necklace is a great way to add color and the perfect amount of "girly" to any daytime or evening ensemble.
A chunky gold watch is just a must, no explanation needed. 
Always do your best.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a book that I absolutely love. Since discovering it a few years ago I've read and re-read it several times when needed and it always reinvigorates me. The Four agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
A summer cold has given me a run for my money and tested my patience with the last agreement over the last few days, but I've forced myself to give myself a break and know that right now the 80% that I'm running on will just have to do. The book tells us that your best will change from day to day and all you can really expect of yourself is to do your best with what you have each day. So join me in giving yourself a break if you're just not feeling great... after all, you deserve it!
Everything has changed... and it is all perfectly un-perfect!
There have been some fairly significant changes that have occurred in my life over the last few months and after the dust has settled a bit I am starting to realize how wonderfully exciting this time in my life truly is right now.
For starters, I'm in a job that I absolutely love and feel great about. It's a great thing to wake up everyday and actually ENJOY what I get to go out into the world and do, and getting paid to do it is a fabulous bonus. As a very career driven individual my job is certainly a big part of my life, and it's not that I've never enjoyed my jobs in the past, but I truly feel like what I'm doing now is a good fit for my personality and it's nice to have the freedom and autonomy to know what I need to do each day and the desire to motivate myself to do it!
Another move took place too! I realize that actions speak louder than words, and contrary to what you might think, I don't actually enjoy moving, but this time it was definitely in a great direction and if anything it's nice to know that Above All Movers can count on me as an annual source of revenue! The new pad is in the heart of downtown and has all the things I didn't have in my last apartment like a washer/dryer, dishwasher and, PARKING! Sort of feel like it's my first "big girl apartment." A great roommate named Randi was added into the mix as well and it's been so nice to have a such a positive person added to my daily life, she's a keeper! Our location could not be more clutch; we are within walking distance to pretty much everything downtown and only a short run away from my beloved stairs at the Convention Center! Although I'll always love my shoebox in Banker's Hill, home sweet home is definitely a little sweeter these days.
Any of you who know me at all know that Matt was a big part of my life for the last 3 years, but a few months back we decided to end our relationship. Obviously the decision to end love is not an easy one and I'd be lying through my teeth if I said this has been an easy situation to deal with. However, in the midst of the pain of a broken heart a beautiful thing has come about, I've realized what an amazing opportunity this has given me to grow as a person and be grateful for how that relationship shaped me and taught me more about myself than I actually ever really wanted to know, haha! There is no doubt in my mind that when the time is right love will be brought back into my life, and this time I'll be equipped with the lessons I've learned and a better understanding of who I am. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy this time as a blessing in order to better myself!
One thing that's really helped to ground all these changes and keep my perspective in line is that I've been going to church every Sunday. Yes, I was raised Catholic, but for the last few years while Mass brought a feeling of peace to me, the message never really resonated with me, so I've been going to a non-denominational church called Flood which I absolutely LOVE. A good friend Laura introduced me to it years ago, but I only started going regularly recently and I've made the decision that this is the place for me. It feels good to be going regularly and I am really enjoying the new environment, the positive messages, and people that I've received through it. It is opening my heart in many ways and there is no doubt in my mind that Grace and Faith have been the pillars of what is carrying me through all these changes!
I got an e-mail the other day from someone who let me know that she reads my blog because she feels it is uplifting and she looks to it as a place of positivity in her life. This really touched me because there is nothing in my life that has been anything close to perfect over the last few months, but if someone can still find my thoughts a source of positivity that makes me really happy! Many things are easier said than done and I struggle on a daily basis with understanding why I'm put into certain situations, the feeling of being overwhelmed and trying to stay positive when sometimes I just don't want to! But if I can give any advice to someone who may be going through a lot of changes/shifts/challenges in their life, which we all are, it would be to just take a deep breath, smile and know that the only way you can get through a tough time is one day at a time. Be present in what you are going through even if it's painful. There's nothing that you can't get through, or you wouldn't have been put in the situation in the first place, so when something seems too tough to handle take it as a compliment to yourself, because you CAN and WILL get through it! :)
For starters, I'm in a job that I absolutely love and feel great about. It's a great thing to wake up everyday and actually ENJOY what I get to go out into the world and do, and getting paid to do it is a fabulous bonus. As a very career driven individual my job is certainly a big part of my life, and it's not that I've never enjoyed my jobs in the past, but I truly feel like what I'm doing now is a good fit for my personality and it's nice to have the freedom and autonomy to know what I need to do each day and the desire to motivate myself to do it!
Another move took place too! I realize that actions speak louder than words, and contrary to what you might think, I don't actually enjoy moving, but this time it was definitely in a great direction and if anything it's nice to know that Above All Movers can count on me as an annual source of revenue! The new pad is in the heart of downtown and has all the things I didn't have in my last apartment like a washer/dryer, dishwasher and, PARKING! Sort of feel like it's my first "big girl apartment." A great roommate named Randi was added into the mix as well and it's been so nice to have a such a positive person added to my daily life, she's a keeper! Our location could not be more clutch; we are within walking distance to pretty much everything downtown and only a short run away from my beloved stairs at the Convention Center! Although I'll always love my shoebox in Banker's Hill, home sweet home is definitely a little sweeter these days.
Any of you who know me at all know that Matt was a big part of my life for the last 3 years, but a few months back we decided to end our relationship. Obviously the decision to end love is not an easy one and I'd be lying through my teeth if I said this has been an easy situation to deal with. However, in the midst of the pain of a broken heart a beautiful thing has come about, I've realized what an amazing opportunity this has given me to grow as a person and be grateful for how that relationship shaped me and taught me more about myself than I actually ever really wanted to know, haha! There is no doubt in my mind that when the time is right love will be brought back into my life, and this time I'll be equipped with the lessons I've learned and a better understanding of who I am. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy this time as a blessing in order to better myself!
One thing that's really helped to ground all these changes and keep my perspective in line is that I've been going to church every Sunday. Yes, I was raised Catholic, but for the last few years while Mass brought a feeling of peace to me, the message never really resonated with me, so I've been going to a non-denominational church called Flood which I absolutely LOVE. A good friend Laura introduced me to it years ago, but I only started going regularly recently and I've made the decision that this is the place for me. It feels good to be going regularly and I am really enjoying the new environment, the positive messages, and people that I've received through it. It is opening my heart in many ways and there is no doubt in my mind that Grace and Faith have been the pillars of what is carrying me through all these changes!
I got an e-mail the other day from someone who let me know that she reads my blog because she feels it is uplifting and she looks to it as a place of positivity in her life. This really touched me because there is nothing in my life that has been anything close to perfect over the last few months, but if someone can still find my thoughts a source of positivity that makes me really happy! Many things are easier said than done and I struggle on a daily basis with understanding why I'm put into certain situations, the feeling of being overwhelmed and trying to stay positive when sometimes I just don't want to! But if I can give any advice to someone who may be going through a lot of changes/shifts/challenges in their life, which we all are, it would be to just take a deep breath, smile and know that the only way you can get through a tough time is one day at a time. Be present in what you are going through even if it's painful. There's nothing that you can't get through, or you wouldn't have been put in the situation in the first place, so when something seems too tough to handle take it as a compliment to yourself, because you CAN and WILL get through it! :)
It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.
— C.S. Lewis
Cat Foot Reunion slash, "You guys look like "woo" girls."
Last night I had the pleasure of having dinner with Erin and Sarah... both of whom are the closest equivalence I've ever had to a "big sis." We had a great time talking about anything and everything and enjoying amazing wine and grub at The Lion's Share down the street from my casa. In a place that's not considerably "home" it's always nice to be surrounded by the people that I've known since the good ol' days.
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