I Lovely Love My Family

I love that Valentine's Day can be about all kinds of love.  Like love for your family.  I think this kind of love it my favorite.  Whether it's the family you were born into or a family your created, there is really nothing like it.

"From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it."

Yup, that just about sounds up my family.  I have two little sisters (one of which I've forbidden from growing up), the most supportive parents a gal could ask for, and an extended family that includes my BFF Nan, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that have become family.

Want to meet them?
 

My BFF Nan.

Aloha cutie pie parents.

25th anniversary of parentals' nuptials.  A beautiful day.

 Baby me with the best dad I could ask for.

Whether it's bad hairstyles or bad boys, these are the only two girls I need by my side. (Seattle 2009).  I love that we have our own inside jokes, text about our pets constantly, and that they visit me as much as they can.

I am so proud my my middle sister.  She always stands up for what she believes in, and I love how close we've become in the last few years.

I wish my baby sis wouldn't grow up.  She just got her license; yikes!

Some of my cousins.  So lucky to have such a kind, generous extended family.

Two little boys (my godfather's babies) who will always be considered family.  

  
 

I think the thing I love most about my family is the constant laughter.  Sure, we've had our fair share of hardships, but these are the folks that not only inspire me, but make me smile every day.  I may or may not have called my mom homesick through my senior year of college (no shame ladies), but I think it's because I knew that my time with them would become less and less frequent.  Thank you for loving me, supporting me, and helping me be so successful.  Happy Valentine's Day to all my family that make me a better person every day.

PS: Big internet hug if you know what the title of this post refers to :)

Thanks to Casey, Neely and Amber for such a great excuse to link up.

 

Wishes 2.0

I had such a blast linking up with Bright Wishes last week, I couldn't help but want to link up again.  After all, there are so many fun things on the world wide web to wish for.  Dream big, baby!

1. An Oil Slick Lamp

I had never even heard of this kind of lamp a week ago, but it was love at first sight after I saw this post on Little Green Notebook.  Anyone know good secondhand/antique furniture stores in the Bay Area?

Via.

2. A KitchenAid stand mixer

Just think of how many more cookies I could make.

Via.

3. This J. Crew bracelet

Such a pretty color for spring. And stacked bangles are everywhere!

Via.

4. New Taylor Swift

A collabo with The Civil Wars can only hold me off long enough.

 5. THIS
What an amazing, rustic way to organize necklaces.

Via.

Anything on your wish list this week?

Rainy Tuesday

Even though I live for the sunshine, today's rainy weather felt like a breath of fresh air.  The sky was so clear and the air was so fresh when I walked outside.  It only rained a little bit this morning, but enough to give me an excuse to wear my rain boots.  I even made a point to walk in the mud during my lunch break.  It reminded me of rainy days when I was little and my mom would let us jump in puddles after the storm let up.  This season hasn't brought much rain to Northern California, so it's possible the floodgates will be opening up any week now.

Squishy.

Blue skies peeking out from behind the clouds.

.005 Percent

I picked up a copy of Shania Twains autobiography From This Moment On last week, and ended up reading the whole book this weekend.   I'm a sucker for a good self-narrated non-fiction novel, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.  I knew a bit about her background after writing a paper in college on 90's female country artists and feminism (boy did I love that country music class!), and was especially inspired by her love for her family and her intense desire to succeed.

She had such friendly and conversational tone throughout the book, even as she desribed some of the more challenging aspects of her life.  I made note of a particular statistic as I was reading; according to the source, only .005 percent of folks find success in the music industry.  No matter what we want to do with our life, whether it's go to school, raise a family, find our dream job, or anything really, there are bound to be challenges and obstacles that get in our way.  And I think it is in dealing with these circumstances, finding joy in the ordinary, and trying to follow our passions that end up making life extraordincary.

If you are a country music fan, or just looking for an easy, encouraging read, I recommend picking this up!

Via.

Here are a few other finds motivating me this Monday:

Via.

Via.

Via.

Via.

I Was Made for Sunny Days

It was such a gorgeous, sunny day in the South Bay today.  I wanted to soak up enough sunshine to last until summertime!  Everything seemed to have a little more sparkle thanks to all the glorious light.  I spent the afternoon walking around downtown Palo Alto and grabbing lunch with a friend.

Spotted.  I'd love to have this as a print.

Spring is coming!

Saturday evening, I went to a yummy sushi restaurant in Mountain View called Yakko.  I went all out tonight with an Alaskan roll, a side of brown rice and Tempura ice cream.  The ingredients tasted really fresh, and the staff were so friendly.  Delicious food and even better company!

The title of this roll made me giggle; oh the implications of a 'New Girlfriend Special.'

Basically, Tempura ice cream is fried ice cream.  And this baby was topped with chocolate sauce.

How is your weekend going?

PS: Post title courtesy of The Weepies.

I Love Weddings

Sometimes I think the most incredible job in the world would be to go to weddings.  Like every day.  Not to plan them or photograph them or cater them, but to watch and experience them.  Granted, I've never planned a wedding, but the love, joy and family togetherness melts my heart regardless of how well I know the couple or not.  Linking up with Neely, Amber and Casey today for their fabulous Valentines challenge.  Today, weddings!

What are my favorite parts of weddings?

Sharing in such a special day with the bride and groom.  I wouldn't care if the wedding was in someone's living room or a beautiful castle in Europe.  Such a treat to witness so much love.

Dressing Up.

Michael and Nicole's wedding; May 2011. 

Gordon and Katie's wedding; July 2011.

Dancing.

I don't think I will ever, ever, ever forget dancing with my dad's side of the family when my cousin Michael got married last May.  So many things about that night make me laugh to this day.

Themes.

It is so neat to see all the special touches that brides and grooms include in their day.  Above, we got to take a train to the ceremony for our friend Tim's wedding in 2008.  It was straight out of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, I tell you, but so perfect because of how it encapsulated the bride and groom.

And even though any wedding of mine is years away, I love looking at engagement/wedding pictures online.  What do you love about weddings?

Wednesday Wishes

New link-up today with Brooke from Bright Wishes! Here are a few things I'm wishing for this week.

1. To throw a dinner party with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Doesn't this look heavenly?

Via.

2. Chandelier wall decals.

Especially considering my apartment would look ridiculous with a real chandelier.

Via.

3. TOMS ballet flats.

Since I'm obsessed with the TOMS I already have, these seem like the perfect next step.  Too cute!

Via.

4. Stationary.

I wish I was better at sending handwritten letters, especially since I love receiving them.

Via.

5. Floral pants.

Mr. Groundhog, please let winter be over.  So ready for spring fashion!

Via.

6. Patience

Ever have a week where you are in a hurry all day long and just cannot figure out why? Slowing it way down the rest of the week... at least outside of work :)

Via.

Add a little sunshine to your day and check out her blog!  Hope you are having a fabulous Hump Day.