celebrating family

The only thing on my mind as of late is moving home. Home to celebrate, be with and make memories with my family.

Closer to my Daddy, who protects me from everything, even the sp*ders in my window.

Closer to my Mommy- bike rides, downtown walks, beach days, design days or even just enjoying lunch on a Summer day on the patio together. 

Closer to my Sister- very much closer, as we will be living and making memories together that will truly last a lifetime.

Closer to the ferocious beast- so we can play fox more often. 

Closer to my grandparents- for their lives are precious and days numbered.

Closer to my cousins, aunts and uncles- so I can join in on family gatherings more often. 

me and and amazing man of character, my grandfather

 

 

"Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. 

It means you are loved and will be loved for the rest of your life. 

No matter what."

What are you celebrating this Spring?

picture perfect

The spring and summer months are my absolute favorite time of the year. The budding plants, the warm weather, the birds chirping, the longer evenings, the smell of a cookout in the distance and children playing after school... Spring is so promising- so fresh- especially after the drab, cold winter months.

I am currently obsessed with the view outside of my window. There is the perfect budding Dogwood tree, a budding purple tree and a green bush that have all begun to bloom. I have found myself stopping almost daily to just take in what I see outside. Often times in the morning, I open the window, grab a cup of coffee and my computer and crawl back into bed to apply for jobs and/or work on design work... truly one of my MOST favorite things to do. Such a relaxing way to start off each morning. Granted, this isn't the "real" world, but it's something I am able to enjoy this season and will soak up every moment I can.

This is an iPhone photo of the view I see every day, non-edited. I wish I could bottle this up and keep everything about this forever.

What is your favorite season? 

and ps: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the best parents in the world!
Thank you for always making things work. 

it's a date...

One of my all time favorite things is Skype!

{one form of social media that I will NOT be giving up soon}

This is one of the BEST ways that I have been able to keep in touch with my family and friends who don't live in the same city and/or state... for free! While talking on the phone is convenient for those days that you "don't feel like doing your hair", it's also so comforting seeing a familiar face while conversing with ones you love.

My mom {sometimes Mo, if he is not busy napping or tending to my parent's mini-chicken farm} and I Skype at least once a week and usually convinces my Daddy to drop in, too! I come from a crazy family- Mom and I laugh hysterically at the faces we make at each other over Skype. One night, I started taking pictures of her... to save for blackmail if ever deemed necessary. She wanted to learn how to take screenshots of her computer, so I was teaching her how... (yeah, she's cooler than your mom because she is proficient on a Mac)...

Mom learning how to take a screenshot

Mom when she learned how to take a screen shot... Blackmail pictures are a'coming, I'm sure!

Mom practicing her pose incase I was still taking pictures... she makes me laugh SO hard!

Mom put a baby hat on Mo... he wasn't as impressed as Mom and I were...

 Oh, how I love Skyping with my mother!

And since one of my best friends Julia moved to DC, we've also set up several Skype dates.

J getting ready for her screenshot {and me expressing my excitement via fist-pump bc she is coming to see me this weekend!}

J wanting me to admire her beauty

J being silly

J blowing me goodnight kisses

I also Skype with my trainer, Liz any time I need a pep talk about my eating/exercising plan. Love Skype dates with her! So refreshing and motivational (though I don't have pictures of you, I love you and our Skype dates just as much, Liz!)

Have you ever tried Skype? It's free and an easy download and only requires a webcam! Try it if you haven't, especially if you live far away from your parents and/or best friends!

St. Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is my most favorite holiday of all... I get so giddy around this time of year. I don't even have a boyfriend (well, you know... an exclusive one at least) and I still love this day.

A few reasons why I absolutely love this day and month:

1. It's a celebration of love. I love love.

2. It's pink and sparkly! It's a whole day where it's 100% ok to be in pink sparkles and be a giddy girl all day long.

3. It's a reminder that SPRING is coming! 

(ummm, it's supposedly 62 and sunny here in Central VA!)

Instead of focusing on loving specifically (or lack of) significant other or ignoring this day completely (which tends to be the 2011 trend... come on, we all know it's unavoidable), pour love out to your family and closest friends today! I guarantee that if you stop to consider loving a broad range of others instead of your lack of significant other... it will boost your whole thinking process about the whole day. 

 Happy Loving!

 

goodbyes

One thing is for sure: 

I absolutely hate goodbyes. 

My roommate and one of my very best friends left for an internship in DC today. While I am so happy and so proud of her, her presence will be missed every day while she is gone.

Great memories still linger in the air at Princeton Circle. They always say to never live with your best friend, but we never seemed to mind. 

My favorite memories: 

social mornings

mac and cheese snack time

PM alarm clocks

wine and trash television nights

 curfews

girl talk

white boards (the way we all communicate on a daily basis)

 {Jules, me, Vanessa}

This was her last weekend in town for a while. I can honestly say we had a blast as we painted this little town in Southwest Virginia... Northern girl style.

{J and I with our wonderful boyfriend Jorge}

J's friendship is so dear to me; she was the first to rush over at almost 1 in the morning on that devastating weekend in August 2009. I still remember that night like it was yesterday as she held me and told me that everything was going to be ok. She has laughed with me, cried with me and smacked me in the face when I needed it most over the last year and a half.  We have both been through thick and thin as individuals, but she always remains a constant in my life, and for that... I am truly thankful. 

I know you're reading this, J! Remember this until you return to the South: 

I love-a you-a!

{princess tarrah}

happy birthday to one of my dearest and best friends, Tarrah. 

We've made great memories over the last 5 years. I love you!

14 pounds of sweetness

I miss this sweet pup aka my parent's 4th {and favorite} child. He lives 6 hours away with my parents in Delaware.

 

I miss his playfulness.

I miss his sour faces when his Mother gives him a bath. 

I miss his shiny little lip. 

I miss his snaggled teeth. 

He is the most stubborn, high maintenance dog our family has ever owned... but man, do I miss all 14 pounds of him. 

I'll be home soon, Elmo. Until then, take care of your Mother and your Father. 

Love,
Sister

with the grace of a woman

After a while, you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open,

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,

And learn to build all your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight

And after a while, you learn

That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong

And you really do have worth

And you learn and learn...

With every goodbye, you learn.

{Shoffstall}

What have you learned?

Contentment, Pt 2

I had an entire post written out about contentment, pt 2. I was putting the finishing touches on it.

Then I found this sticky note on my computer from my sister from a year ago:

Dear SIssy,

I know one day you are going to want to clear this account. I know it is going to be really really hard for you. I just want you to know how much i love and care for you. You are one of the most amazinng people i know.

Please never forget that or let anyone make you think differently.

Love,

Ana

And then I bawled.

I was using my "old account", the account I used for all my wedding planning on my computer tonight because the internet wouldn't connect on my normal account. I've been slowly deleting pictures, files, documents from this account...

I love my Sister. I cannot begin to tell you how much she got me through the worst time of my life to date. She loved me the way a little sister loves her big sister. She slept with me to keep me company. She dragged me out of the house to go for a ride. She listened to me and watched me cry daily. For months.

I miss her dearly. I need to be physically close to her again...

{circa 2008}

I can't stop crying. I think I'll keep this on my computer for a while.

Kate Spade + Office Supplies = LOVE

Does anyone else out there have an obsession with office supplies?

Probably one of my all-time favorite movie quotes is: "Don't you just love New York in the Fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address..."

Anyone know what movie that quote is from?

In my daily email from katespade.com, they featured their new 2011 calendar.

What isn't to love about this gem?

Kate Spade + office supplies = love

This WILL be going on my Christmas/birthday list.

{blessed}

I'd like to take some time to tell you about two of the most important girls in my life and how blessed I am to be so close to them.

Pictured is my beautiful sister and mother. The three of us went out on a photoshoot not too long ago and since then, there have been a few times that I've reflected on this morning that we spent together.

Although many times I forget how blessed I am and have been the past 24 years of my life, I am very thankful to be part of such a close family.

My mother- the beautiful lady standing the the front in all her sass {completely rocking out being on the other side of the camera- she's a photographer!} is more or less my rock. She has been there for me at my darkest times- standing there as I cried for hours and asked "why" a thousand times over again. She has awakened with me while I've spent nights sick in the bathroom, holding my hair back and giving me a warm cloth. In a matter of 15 minutes after receiving a phone call, she dropped what she was doing and was on the road headed for VA to be with her girl during a time of devastating uncertainty. She does all this selflessly for her children. In addition to all of this though- and perhaps most importantly- my mom prays for me and her other two children on a daily basis. How many other people can say that? I have never, ever met someone more dedicated in their spiritual life than my mother. I am eternally grateful for her dedication to us, and for never giving up on any of her children {no matter how hard we bite the bullet and push away}.

And my baby sister? Basically my best friend ever. We have stayed up so many nights laughing and giggling in bed that it isn't funny. I know that I can go to her with anything- she'll always tell me what she thinks and no matter what my decision, she still always supports me. We have quite the interesting relationship, and people from the "outside" usually question the way we talk to each other. I love this girl, and though we can get into some pretty nasty arguments- I would do absolutely anything for her. I am so thankful that I am so close to my baby sister.

My brother says hey- Carolina rules. {obvi}

2010

Happy 2010!!

To all my girls out there who had a less than perfect 09
-you know who you are-

Sprinkles
Liz
Kate
Rasha
Summer
Nicole

WE MADE IT!!!

Here's to the best year/decade ever.

{via weheartit}

Love you all.

what city?

ok, so the title of this post is for my one and only julia... my outback lover.

I took a very last minute trip to Virginia on Sunday.

I had a BLAST.

I:
met new people, had coffee with old friends, danced my tail off with Julia and
had fabulous girl talk with my favorites.
Oh... I even went out on a rooftop that overlooked Downtown. It was beautiful. And we're sleeping out there when it gets warmer.

More pictures coming soon, but for now... I can't get enough of this picture of
my gorgeous girl Hannah.
I seriously don't know what I would do without this girl.

Hannah
{left}

Me
{right}

More pictures coming soon.

Also, opinions welcome.
I'm considering going to grad school.
yes/no?

NoShame November

Thanks Miss Molly Yeh for reminding me of NoShame November. And since everyone else is doing it {here’s sprinkles’ here’s yeh’s} here is my list of things I’m not ashamed of, but probably should be.

1. I eat croutons out of the box- very shamelessly. In fact, I used to buy bags of them, not to put on my salad, but to snack on.

2. I’m shamelessly addicted to Twitter. Mention me here, I’ll be your best friend.

3. Speaking of addictions, I’m also very shamelessly addicted to coffeeeee. Not for the caffeine, but for the flavor. Oh coffee, how I love thee.

4. If you call me and I don’t answer, I’ll shamelessly text you back {ok, so I’m probably at work and just can’t answer the dang phone}

5. I shamelessly own 10+ empty journals. I buy them because I love them- and yes, I do use them… just not as quickly as I buy them.

6. I very shamelessly have a Cinderella alarm clock on my nightstand. Relax, my dad bought it for me several years ago.

7. I shamelessly correct your poor grammar… but shame on you for not remembering 5th grade English class.

8. I am OCD… shamelessly. Ask me about it… I’ll tell you.

9. My favorite movie? You’ve Got Mail. Shamelessly. It’s classic. And it will always be my favorite.

10. Speaking of You’ve Got Mail… if a man {emphasis on man, not a boy} were to send me a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils, I’d shamelessly call {probably text} and ask when I could start planning the wedding. Yes- I shamelessly have an obsession for office supplies.

So there it is.
NoShame November.
My next list: 50 cold hard facts about yours truly.

What are you shameless about?