Hi All

Hello fourth day of February. I can't tell you how many drafts I have saved since the last time I blogged, but I think I needed the breather over break and then it just extended til now.

I thought that today would be an appropriate time to resurrect this blog since one, I started it almost two years ago, and two, my own birthday was yesterday!

This weekend was busy with birth-week celebrations and  a few shoots for my color photography class.  I have lots of pictures to show you but I didn't want to overwhelm myself and end up not posting again so instead you only get one for today.

And since it's my blog's two year birthday on February 23 and my own 26th birthday this month--I decided to do a giveaway(my first, but hopefully a good one)--hence the present in the picture. I'll tell you more about this as I get back into the rhythm of blogging, but it's going to be good! ;)

surprises

Celebrating Nick's birthday this past weekend was a blast. It didn't turn out the way I expected or planned (the best laid plans and all that*) but somehow, although events rarely work out the way I expect we still manage to have a great time together. I'm a firm believer that your birthday (or week or month or however long you choose to celebrate it) should be spent doing exactly what you want to do. And so we did just that.

Laying in bed, reading, cooking together, watching Sherlock, baking, and yes, eating more pizza and all of Nick's other favorite foods was the order of the weekend.  We had big, fancy plans to go to a comedy club and a French restaurant but we pushed those back until this Friday so we could spend his birthday doing what Nick really wanted to do. This also happened to be the first weekend we haven't ventured out to explore more of New England in months. It was really nice to just be homebodies and laze around our little apartment.

I wasn't too surprised with the change in our plans since, although we both enjoy adventures, Nick is usually just as happy to snuggle and read together at home. I was surprised when, a couple of weeks ago in Maine, we snuck onto a golf course to get these pictures at Nick's insistence. (Keep in mind, this is the guy that I had to teach how to jaywalk.) To any law enforcement who might be reading this, it was all Nick's idea. As we strolled past the No Trespassing sign, I kept trying to get him to turn back. But with his gaze as long as a Redwood he knew there was a view I couldn't miss photographing. Now I'm realizing how sweet that was of him, to flout the law for art's and my sake. At that moment though, I could only think how embarrassing it would be if we were caught, not to mention how obvious our lie of "No officer we didn't see the No Trespassing sign. We were to busy darting into your country club golf grounds and furtively glancing around to notice any such sign." Thanks for keeping our lives interesting.

*Another of those books that I still have to read.

25 reasons I love Nicholas Steven Jones

Happy 25th Birthday, Nick. A few of the reasons that I think you're the cat's meow:

1. You are the most patient, loving person I know.

2. Most of the time you seem oblivious to how tall, handsome and kissable you are. 

3. You make up adventures with me when we do our mundane, married people tasks like go to the grocery store. (I think that guy's onto us Oaf. -Smidgen)

4. You go for runs and walks with me even though you'd rather be lifting weights.

5. You tell me that you love my ideas and thoughts about things and make me feel like the cleverest, most creative person in the world.

6. You remember almost every inside joke we've ever had and can more than hold your own with witty rejoinders.

7. You enjoy watching Downton Abbey, Larkrise to Candleford and you will love Anne of Green Gables when we finally watch it together.

8. You are a captivating storyteller. 

9. You are more concerned about everyone knowing what I can and can't eat than I am.

10. You want to see the world with me.  

11. When we first met you barely spoke a lick of French but now your practically fluent. You are smart, not just naturally but because you love learning.

12. When you are having a hard time you let me rescue and take care of you.

13. I never have to ask you to take the trash out.

14. You sing beautifully.

15. You make economics seem fascinating. 

16. You listen to my suggestions about your personal style.

17. When you know that I really want to do something you get excited because you like being able to make me happy, like going to street dance parties. 

18. You think that my cooking is the best food in the world.

19. You can be silly

20. You get along with everyone and can talk to almost anybody about anything

21. When I am sad you don't only try to cheer me up, you listen to me and hold me and tell me it's okay to feel the way I do.

22. You are quick to ask for directions, on the road, in the grocery store or anywhere.

23. You like the books that I choose and one of your favorite things to do is have me read to you while we snuggle.

24. You are the early bird to my night owl.

25. You have the ability to make almost anyone like you. 

And I love you. 

bits and bobs and my 150th post

Guess what. This is my 150th post. I'm happy about that. :)

Anyway, today is the start of Nick's birth week since his birthday is exactly one week from today. We started the day out right by going to the gym together and then I made him french toast with applesauce on top. We're going to keep on celebrating tonight by going to see The Dark Knight Rises. Movie posters like this one for The Dark Knight have me even more pumped. Seriously, one of the best designed movie posters I've ever seen.

Have a great weekend! The following are a few favorites from around the interweb lately.

I've recently discovered a passion that I have for prop and photo styling and Jen articulates here what I admire about picture like these and the stylists behind them.
I love Amanda's column on her blog. She's featured some of my favorite artists/bloggers.
My new sandals have made me want more new sandals, like this orange pair and these platform coral and grey ones
If I could paint like Katie our whole house would be bright and floral.

This painting by Samantha French makes me think of cloudy days and beaches at the same time, which is sort of the weather we have going on out here today. And it also makes me want to paint. So, I'll rise to the challenge from my inner artist. If you're looking for inspiration checkout my art board on Pinterest.

via

Who needs pants?

1. Dorothy Perkins Dandelion Bow Blouse, 2. Lightroom, 3.  Canon 50mm F/1.8, 4. Versace Bright Crystal Perfume,
5. Urban Outfitters Grey Wedge Heels, 6. Gold-flecked Nail Polish

Guess what?

It's my birthday next week. (Or birf-day as I like to say.) And even though in real life I am a shy and retiring sort of woman--at least when it comes to being the center of attention--in this sphere of blogs I can  post a birthday wish list without seeming completely narcissistic.

Right?

Well, if not, it's my birthday and I can buy if I want to.

P.S. I still haven't taken down our Holiday decorations, but my birthday provides enough incentive to de-decorate and then redecorate for Alison's Day, aka February 3.