that's just it

I've been a teensy bit infatuated with the work of photographer Tim Robison Jr. as of late. There is just something so peaceful about his photographs. It's all about the little things... a quiet cup of coffee, rumpled bedsheets and golden, afternoon light. That's just it.

*Many thanks to the lovely Colleen for pinning this photo. I was hooked.

musings on turning 26 + red lipstick

I turned 26 a few weeks ago and in those weeks I've decided what my birthday "resolution" for the year will be. In the past I've thrown birthday parties and made huge lists of things I need to accomplish. This year I skipped the party and just went to a wonderful dinner with my family. In lieu of a laundry list of goals I only have one... Start wearing red lipstick. I know in blogger years I'm way behind on the trend but for me, for some reason, 26 feels like the perfect age to start wearing red lipstick. It just feels so worldly, feminine and classic... I can't wait to try it out. So wish me luck on my 26th year and if you have any tips for sporting red lips I would love to hear them!

*Photo by Jamie Beck via Cup of Jo.

my resolution

{via the audrey hepburn complex}

That's right... I said resolution, singular. No long list this year, just one very important thing.

Worry less, enjoy the little things more.

*What's your resolution this year?

school's out for summer!

{image found here}

I officially survived my first year of dental hygiene school.

Cue celebratory song and dance.

a parisian birthday party

{oh la la}

My sweet little sister is turning 13 next weekend! She has her heart set on a chic Parisian birthday party. The plan as of right now, is to decorate aprons and cook crepes for a group of her girlfriends. After crepes and cake we're planning a fun, Paris inspired polaroid shoot so the girls can take home a little souvenir. But, we still have a few questions...

What should we do for decor? Fresh flowers always go a long way in my book, but she is 13 and I feel like she's going to want a bit more pizzaz. What are some other French inspired dishes that are fun and easy for the girls to make? Do you know of any Parisian party games? If you have any other ideas I would love to hear them! I want to help make this birthday extra special for her.

*She has already hired me to be the party photographer... I'll be bringing the Fuji Instax for sure.

better to give than receive

i'm working on a little wedding gift for kiwi... i want him to have something special to commemorate the big day. there is nothing better than planning a surprise for someone you love.

*check out this amazing bride's gift for some major gift giving inspiration.

(via simple lovely)

fall, where are you?

maybe arizona didn't get the memo, but it's october and it's going to be 100 degrees on saturday. are you kidding me? i can't wait for things to cool down around here so i can break out the cardigans.

*we've been super busy with wedding stuff, but hopefully kiwi will take me to see this movie tonight. i can't wait!

(fantastic fall image by the lovely jen gotch)

me & julia

i know what you're thinking... and yes, i did. attempting julia child's famous boeuf bourguignon turned out to be quite the adventure. 6 hours and two bottles of wine later... it was totally worth it.

*just remember, don't crowd the mushrooms.

(recipe found here)

the september issue

dying to see the september issue. anna wintour, you scare me but i love you.

*thank you for doing this interview NPR... you always make my mornings a little better.

(image found here)

sixteen candles

john hughes marathon at valley art + half price wine night at la bocca = the perfect evening.

(image found here)

wine, bikes and my best friends

my bachelorette party is coming up this weekend! we're heading up to beautiful santa barbara for a little fun in the sun and a wine tasting tour by bicycle! i can't wait... is it friday yet?

*the lovely folks at santa barbara adventure co. have informed us it's 4-5 miles between vineyards... maybe i should have been training for this.

(image via bliss and sfgirlbybay)

rain, rain, don't go away...

i love rainy afternoons... it makes me want to curl up under the covers with a good book.
*there is nothing better than the smell of the desert after it rains.
(image found here)

the happiness project

i first heard of the happiness project over at simple lovely... and i've been a huge fan ever since. i check in every few days and i'm always inspired. this latest post really struck a nerve with me. as someone who is soon to be married i always wonder how couples keep that adoration and spark throughout the years...

"If I’ve learned one thing from my happiness project, it’s that if I want my life to be a certain way, I must be that way myself. If I want my marriage to be tender and romantic, I must be tender and romantic."

oh i just love that. i think we get caught up in the everyday grind and forget to really treasure our loved ones. we get so busy that the time we spend together feels leftover, scraped together at the end of the week... after work and school and other responsibilities are fulfilled.

here's to being tender and romantic.

(image via le love)

it's the little things

i was inspired to make my own little list after reading some of the wonderful things that make people happy over at rockstar diaries.

10 things that make me terribly happy...

1. cracking open a new book
2. the smell of the desert after it rains
3. asu rugby girls (past, present and future)
4. trips to new zealand
5. watching jeopardy with kiwi
6. lemons
7. black and white photos of my grandparents
8. down comforters
9. my noisy, loving, amazing family
10. sunsets

*i liked this little exercise sooooo much, i just might have to make it a weekly activity.