Happy Birthday: Pup Edition

Our sweet hound, Townes, turned 4 today!

 Really today marks the 2nd anniversary since we adopted him from the pound (since the vet said he was somewhere in between 1 to 2 years old, we just decided to make it his birthday and that we'd assume him to be 2). In the past 2 years, he's become heartworm-free, healthy, and happy as can be (and maybe a bit more chunky, but that just means he's loved, right?).

Townes is the sweetest dog there is. He's so sweet, affectionate, laid back, and gentle. We really are the luckiest to have found each other! 

I can't wait to continue to celebrate him more this weekend and each year that follows.

We love you to pieces T! Happy "birth"day!

xo

February Finds

[february fashion]

I cannot believe that February is just a few days away! The next few weeks will be super busy in our household so I'm anxiously awaiting Valentine's Day (which is weird so say since I actually kind of hate Valentine's Day) since it'll mark the start of things slowing down again for J + me. I've even put up a few items around the house for Valentine's Day (to J's dismay, but at least he's a good sport).

These are some of my favorite heart-themed items right now.

What are your thoughts on Valentine's Day? Love it or leave it?
xo

Weekend Getaway: Crystal Lake

Last weekend, J + I decided to take a last minute trip to the mountains. We needed some time to unwind and the long MLK holiday weekend seemed like the best opportunity.

 We booked a lovely cabin, Crystal Lake, via Blue Sky cabin rentals. On Friday evening, we packed up the car (Townes included) and were on our way! The first night we made veggie lasagna and enjoyed sitting by the fire place. 

On the first morning, we drank coffee while looking out on the beautiful lake. Then we researched some local hiking spots. We first attempted to hike to "Julie Anna Falls," but due to the high rain levels, the creeks had become rivers that we couldn't wade through. We still enjoyed a nice long hike along the river. Then we decided to head to the "Barnes Creek Falls." The drive through windy, country roads took longer than we anticipated, but it was a really since the rain made the falls roar.

That night we grilled out veggie burgers and watched the documentary film, Senna. It was so nice to come home and put on slippers after a long day of hiking and driving through north Georgia.

On Sunday morning, we headed out to Amicalola Falls as soon as we ate our breakfast burritos (so good). We hiked the Eastern Trail up to the falls and then took the trails down the falls since Townes hated the grate stairs.

When we came home we made some amazing BBQ tofu + coleslaw sliders for lunch. Then we got settled down to watch the Falcons vs. 49ers. Sad loss for Atlanta unfortunately.

For dinner, we made veggie pot pie for the first time from scratch and it was so good!  We can't wait to make it again!

It was a perfect weekend trip with my boys and nice time to relax and reflect. 

Now we just need to find a way to be able to buy a small cabin in the mountains so we can recreate lazy weekends like this more often!

Where is your favorite place to escape for the weekend?

Happy Friday and happy 30th birthday to Victor! 

I can't wait to celebrate with cake and karoake tonight!

xo

Documentary: Senna

J recently started a new goal in our home: to watch a documentary a day. In the last few weeks, we've actually managed to stick very close to this goal. I'll share more about the films we've watched so far soon, but I wanted to call out my favorite documentary so far. 

While spending last weekend in a cabin in north Georgia, we decided to watch the documentary Senna which features the life and career of Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian Formula One racing driver who won the F1 world championship three times.

The incredible part of watching this film was that J + I knew nothing about Formula One racing or Ayrton Senna. I think it was almost better this way. Either way, this documentary is done so well and has so much incredible footage. I think it is now in my top 10 documentaries ever.

Check out the trailer and then watch it on Netflix immediately (seriously - go watch it right now).

P.S. Ladies - you might be just a bit smitten with the handsome + humble Aryton. Just maybe.

♥

Everything Means Nothing to Me

Elliott Smith has been one of my favorite musicians since high school. 

"Either/Or" is still in my top 10 albums.

It still feels like yesterday when he died [despite it being almost 10 years ago] when my best friend and roommate, Sasha, made and wore a shirt all day that read "Miss Misery" across the front.

Paste just posted this video of Elliott Smith and it's helping me ease back into work after a long weekend in the woods (despite being sick).

Hope you enjoy!

xo

Happier at Home Challenge

I am currently reading Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project book. 

I figured it was the perfect book to read at the start of the new year. Once I finish the book, I'll definitely share my thoughts on it with you.

In the meantime, while visiting her site, I found a 21 day challenge based on her new book, Happier At Home. In order to participate in the relationship "challenge," you just go to this site and enter your email address! The daily emails with small, easy tips to being a better partner started on the 14th, but it's not too late to sign up!

Here are some examples of the daily challenges:

Day 1: By acting more loving, we make ourselves feel more loving, and at the same time, make our sweethearts feel more loved. Resolve to “Kiss in the morning, kiss at night”—or find a way to establish your own habit of affection.

Day 4: Today’s resolution suggests that you “Under-react to a problem.”  Not to ignore a problem, or minimize it, but just under-react to it. For a person like me, who tends flare up quickly, this is very helpful—though challenging.

It's been fun getting the daily emails with little tips on things to be mindful of regarding my relationships. It never hurts to be more cognisant of being patient and more loving!

Please let me know if you decide to join in on the challenge!

♥

"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life" - John Lennon

First Hike of 2013: Providence Canyon

One of our favorite things in our household to do is go hiking. Not only are we lucky to have a hound that loves it, but also amazing friends who encourage it! Our dear friend, Victor, suggested Providence Canyon (also known as "Little Grand Canyon") as our first hike of 2013. Four of us (plus the 2 dogs) piled into one car and headed out early the Sunday following New Year's.

On the way down, we stopped at Waffle House (YUM). The weather reports said it'd be very cold, but we got lucky and it actually warmed up!

 It's really crazy that the massive gullies (the deepest being 150 feet) in Providence Canyon were caused by erosion due to poor farming in the 19th century. There are old cars scattered throughout the hike that couldn't be removed after the communities were cleared out!

Isn't Basil so cute?

We had the best time and I can't wait for the future 2013 hikes that will follow!

The video was put together by the wonderfully talented Victor and features the song "Go Outside" by the Cults. I love this video so much since it captures some of my favorite moments of the trip (i.e., Townes enjoying the windows down, water spilling out into our backpack while J was wearing it, and J + I tripping down the trail). 

Good times!

Go outside y'all! Happy Friday!

xo

Dirty 30 Surprise Party

Hello again! 

It's been roughly a month since I have posted. With all of the craziness of the holidays and work it was a well-needed break, but I've missed blogging!

Although this post is a month late, I wanted to share a magical event with you all! My sweet husband and partner-in-crime turned 30th last month. Despite his reminders that he didn't want to do anything big, I decided to throw him a surprise party at his favorite restaurant, Raging Burrito. I invited some of our close family and friends to celebrate. I had told him that it would be a laid back birthday of a movie and dinner. We first went and saw Silver Linings Playbook and I could tell he was a bit anxious (he had a hunch that something was going on).

We arrived at the restaurant right on time and as we made our way into the private room, one of the waitresses that we know says "oh you don't want to go in there, there's a private party of like 35 people!"

Go figure! We'd made it so close to have it spoiled, but at least he didn't have much time to process her comment before we entered the room to 35 loved ones yelling "surprise!"

It was so great to see J smiling so much! He said that he had expected to show up and have a few friends there, but he never expected so many people! It meant so much to us to have everyone there to celebrate this big birthday milestone.♥

My best friend and I had made the mustache cake (I used this guide for the cake) the night before and bought cupcakes and mustache toppers. I made the "dirty thirty" banner too. 

I am so lucky to have this amazing man as my husband and love every chance to celebrate him.

We are so lucky to have such awesome friends and family. We are also lucky to be able to eat RB burritos anytime we want to (I should note that the owner, Scott, and manager, Parham, were so awesome to work with and made the night so stress-free)!

A special thank you to Beth for helping me make the cake (you are a food-coloring genius) and bringing it to the restaurant. You are the best! Another shout out to Victor for helping us document the night with your trusty camera! Can't wait to celebrate your upcoming 30th too!

xo