Hello October!

hello changing leaves.

hello Halloween!

hello pumpkin-flavored everything.

hello cool, crisp nights.

hello mom's birthday :)

hello to a new beginning (more on this later!).

hello Santa Barbara weekend get-away.

hello to a wonderfully busy October!

{changing leaves in my parent's front yard: my iPhone}

a list for Friday...

let's face it. i'm a list girl. the kind who thinks any bad day/terrible situation/disorganization/overwhelming feelings/etc. can be solved by a few simple, yet tried-and-true bullet points (disclaimer: i know this is not the case. a list never fixes everything, but it sure does help to put my mind at ease and wrap my head around things!). there's nothing about a good, long to-do list that i don't love, especially when you get to start crossing things off your list... oh the joy it brings! 

anyway, without further ado, a list for this sunny, yet fall-ish Friday of my current favorites and obsessions. Cheers to a very happy weekend! xo

this song has been on repeat.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? – curious to start our October book club read!

thinking that a new pair of the.most.comfortable.flats.ever in jazzy purple might really spice up my fall wardrobe.

admittedly, i am a huge worry-wart. i’m constantly trying to put things into perspective. do you worry too much?

dying to try this cocktail, mostly because it calls for prosecco… yum.

a week-long trip to NY for work is planned for the beginning of October, what should I do while I’m there?

baked Alaska with chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream. yes, please!

{photo via here}

life lately, according to my iphone pictures.

three of my favorite boys at the SHOOT tournament (only one Champ, though!).

a few of the biggest dahlia's I have ever seen.

a quirky and cute flower mart in downtown Los Gatos :).

my absolute favorite desktop background, courtesy of mary ruffle's tumblr.

freshly baked banana nut bread... the perfect house warming gift for two sweet friends.

a summer date night!

mom's gorgeous green hydrangeas.

xo.

{all photos: my iPhone}

hello friday

{1, 2, 3, 4}

life is sweet

Cupcakes are a sure-fire way to cure any lousy day.

My morning routine now takes half the time as I have been embracing my natural frizzy, wavy hair. And you know what, I sort of like it.

I have a good feeling about September and October: a trip to San Francisco, an engagement party, my littlest brother’s football games, a long weekend at home “babysitting” while my parents enjoy their anniversary in Hawaii. Lots planned for these two busy, exciting months!

While I am excited for Fall and all of my favorites that the season brings, I am still clinging to Summer for as long as I can. After all, it tends to linger here in LA until Thanksgiving, right?

A few long runs are at the very top of my weekend to-do list. So is a trip to Papersource, uh oh.

Finally booked my trip to Arizona to visit my college roomie and best friend!

Home-made tacos, a glass of vino, and a good long talk filled me with a familiar comfort and ease last night.

Picking up Bridget Jones’s Diary from the library for my next read… can’t wait for some good laughs.

Although more than half-way through the year, my mantra for the remainder of 2012 is to take more deep breaths and embrace each and every day, one moment at a time.

What's new with you?

{image via my iPhone} 

all kinds

I think it’s important to surround yourself with all kinds of friends. ones who listen and let you vent. sweet, wise grandparent friends. friends who become family. friends who are family. the ones who always leave you peeing-in-your-pants-laughing. friends who tell you the truth, even when you don’t want to hear it. youthful, care-free kid friends. friends who stay up late with you. ones who motivate you. active, inspiring friends. and friends who sit on the couch with you all day long as you laugh at Friends episodes both of you have already seen. The list goes on and on and on… but you get the gist.

Last night when I got home, I had an unexpected surprise waiting for me in my mailbox from a thoughtful friend, one who sends surprise “just because” packages in the mail (yep, add that one to your friends list, too!) :)  a tiny, light pink, scalloped hand-written note accompanied two cute, mini-Anthro initial magnets from my dear, best friend, just what I needed on that Monday evening. thanks, friend, for making my day!!

{images: my iPhone}

Insta-Weekend

my weekend via my instagram

{left to right: fresh flowers from TJs, Friday movie night, salted caramel ice cream from Sweet Rose Creamery, bed-time reading and peppermint tea}