really, june?

This year seems to be trudging along with or without me. How in the heck is it almost the end of the June? I swear it was May when we left for vacation! I could easily blame the temporary lapse of time on being on vacation, but unfortunately know the truth: I'm plain just going crazy! Or it's just the heat!

I always pack for trips a couple days ahead so a) that we have everything we need, and b) can get to bed early the night before the flight. As such, I didn't get a chance to share pictures from Miss H's first birtday party back in May. It was the cutest & sweetest party ever and I had a blast taking pictures!  Here are a couple of my favorite shots.

My sister-in-law, Z, really pulled out all the stops. From the cupcakes, to all the yummy sweet treats that the kids (and maybe some adults) were high on; to Nixsy, the BEST magical fairy EVER*.

*If you live in the SF Bay Area, I highly recommend her. She managed to keep the kids' attention for quite a while and be entertaining also.

birthday wishes

Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet niece, Miss H!

The small square was actually a make & take by my friend Rocio from a couple years ago. I've been holding on to it and the matching pattern paper I bought separately, just waiting for the perfect picture. And for once my hoarding paid off.

Looking forward to the three-day weekend! (doing the happy dance) So much to do, so much to do!  Hope you have a great weekend!

sin city

Jay and I just got back from a couple days in Las Vegas yesterday for an anniversary and early birthday celebration. Loved it, but wow! It. was. HOT. Seriously could not walk from one hotel to another without breaking into a sweat. Forget about looking cute, once you pass through the doors you simply melt. We had planned on lounging by the pool, but decided staying indoors was more our speed.

We got to catch up with my cousins, over food, of course. Three cousins, three awesome meals! Good times!

Tomorrow night I'm playing catch-up with the Pillars of the Earth series with some knitting on the side. And also looking forward to catching up with some much needed sleep.

babylove

After a lot of heartache and many rounds of IVF (among other forms of ART), my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are expecting their first babylove. Ina is due in less than two months and recently started the season of baby showers. These photos are from the third shower hosted by her cousins.

Jay and I are very excited for them. I won't lie and say that it didn't hurt because it did. It hurt me to the core that I may never feel that joy that they've been feeling for the last seven months. I'm taking solace in the fact that I'll be able to knit for their babylove!

ready for the week!

What a great weekend! On Saturday, SIL & BIL were feted with their second baby shower. I was not properly prepared since my D70 camera battery died about an hour into the party! My trusty point & shot was not so trusty either, but I managed to get some nice shots. I'll share some picture later this week.

After a crazy weekend, it was nice to sit down to a great deep dish pizza and a glass of wine on Sunday with Jay.

So happy!

not like a lamb

March seems to be following in the same vein as February with something happening every weekend!

A couple weeks ago Jay and I jaunted off to Vegas for the 3rd time in six months (!) where we met my new nephew, Bailey. He is the lucky recipient of the Sheldon baby blanket. And although there is no photographic evidence, I did carry the little man.

Look at how he looks a his mama! So stinkin' sweet! He was hungry at this point and after much protest decided that the bottle would do.

We had to check out Aria, one of the many new hotels in City Center.

These flowers are made of chocolate!

Never playing blackjack there again! Four words: six deck automatic shuffler...ugh! Only going back to eat at the buffet (crab legs at lunch!) and get chocolate from Jean Philippe. It was a fun trip, but definitely too short!

I'm really looking forward to the annual Savor Sonoma food & wine tasting this Sunday with friends.

There's always yummy food and great wine. We're lucky to have a designated driver who only indulges in the food.

good times

As luck would have it I came down with a cold over Halloween weekend: nausea-inducing sinus headache and cough, slowly developing into sneezing, running nose and low-grade fever. Thankfully the fever did not stick around for too long. I stayed home from work last Thursday and Friday because I felt bad about leaving my germs everywhere and I wanted to rest up for our Las Vegas weekend. It was all in vain, however, since I coughed and sneezed my way through every casino.

A visit with my parents is always a good tim! Enjoyed every minute! Driving them to the airport is bittersweet especially this time around since I couldn't take a lot of time off. They are already home in Hawaii and probably happy to be out of the cold.



Been enjoying my new found obessesion: knitting! Already planning a couple baby projects for some special people in my life.
Have a great Monday!

vegas, baby!

Jay and I went to Vegas over the weekend for a little getaway. So much fun! Just a warning, this is a picture heavy post. And before you get any ides, we're the "gamble, eat, see a show" type, although we skipped the show this time around since we couldn't agree on one. We gambled, mostly video poker, but we also played live blackjack. I hit blackjack about eight time and ended up winning $150. We did a lot of eating too. From Bouchon to Postrio to Bellagio's Sunday brunch to tapas at Firefly, it was definitely a weekend of over indulgence. And the most important part we also got to catch up with some of my favorite peeps. Special mahalo goes out to Jared for the great food at Postrio. Loved the ahi and sweet corn ravioli!

fall fashion

With Fall just around the corner, I'm loving all the fall clothing from my favorite stores like Anthropolgie, Banana Republic, J. Crew and Ann Taylor. I'm just itching to do some damage!Here are some of my favorites so far.

• I {heart} this Anthropologie Gumshoe Sweater Coat
• And how pretty is this J. Crew Jersey Ruffle-Neck Dress
• Pair this J. Crew Printed antique-ruffle top with a great pair of jeans
• For work, this Ann Taylor blouse (one of many great tops) and pants
• And some bling with this beautiful necklace from Banana Republic

So ready for the long weekend! I have a long list of chores I NEED to get through (and kind of so does Jay). But we have some fun things planned: a BBQ, renting a couple movies, and play time (hopefully) all day Monday (if we get our chores done). And I promise to get picture of our vacation up soon.

Desparately need some movie recommendations!!! Please throw some good ones my way (emphasis on "good")!

xoxox

six years ago today

I married my best friend. Thank you, my love, for being there to help me stand (literally & figuratively), to guide me, to hold me hand. I love you even more than the day we said "I do" and would happliy do it over again and again and again.

Happy Anniversary Rome!!