designer and a dream

    I have a designer crush. Candice Olson. I love everything she does. I love Chico her lighting assistant. I love her new show. Do you see the pattern? Even if the rooms she does aren't my personal style they are still gorgeous. J knows to DVR anything and all Candice for me and, God love him, he will sometimes watch with me. Her show Divine Design was fabulous and her new show, Candice Tells All, is a more in-depth view of what it takes to make over a room. Look at what I'm talking about....

I'm house design obsessed right now. When this happens you really have to keep me away from the spray paint and preferably the internet. Once I get an idea in my head, yikes. If you're house obsessed like me {Hooked on Houses} is the BEST. I have been known to spend hours perusing.... It's a slippery slope my friends. Enjoy! 

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On a serious note, In total agreement of my dear friend Alex's post today { here}. My biggest prayer is that my children never have to go through what I went through at Virginia Tech and the people of Tuscon just went though. This shouldn't happen, seriously, stop. 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm back to linking up with adorable Jamie over at This Kind of Love. Such a good mid-week reminder of all the things I'm loving right now...

I'm LOVING the Margarita Cupcakes I saw on Kendall's blog. I made them for a friend last night and they were so so so delicious. Big plus, while you have the marg mix and tequila out you might as well make yourself a drink right? You can find the recipe {here}

pic via {here}

I'm LOVING LOVING that it's 62 and sunny in the middle of January. 

I never get tired of this view

I'm LOVING that all the holiday decorations are put away and my house is back to being light, bright and clean. Not that I don't love the way my house looks during the holidays but it's nice to have a new clean slate.

I'm LOVING that I finished and hung my book page wreath. Such a cheap way to make a very very cute wreath. So my style.

I'm LOVING the vegan Mac and Cheese I made the other night for dinner. Don't let that scare you. Neither one of us are vegans but I was feeling adventurous? The base of the sauce is ground up cashews and it has lots of hidden veggies. It's a great way to get some nutrition and good fats. If you can't find the natural yeast just add a few tbls of cheese. Unless  you really are vegan. My very meat and potatoes husband ate it up. It was different but so good. 

Recipe {here}

pic via {here}

I'm LOVING this shirt from LuLu's I saw on Natasha's blog and am dying to snag it. 

Also from LuLu's I'm LOVING these...

I'm LOVING bold wallpaper in entryways.

And as always I'm LOVING my sweet and considerate husband. Whenever I'm the least bit under the weather he never lets me cook or do anything until I feel better. He immediately picks up my fav meal or takes me out to get it. When I was sick on Friday he scooped me up and took me straight to In -N-Out. Because we all know that cures anything you have going on. I'm not kidding. One animal style burger later I was good as new. 

Apparently this week I am LOVING alot! Nothing wrong with that.

Day 11: 11 in 2011

Day 11: What you are looking forward to in 2011

I have a feeling 2011 might be my favorite year yet? I'm really looking forward to..

My sister Julie visiting Newport Beach!

I can't help but laugh...maybe it's all the stuffed bunnies she's posing in front of? haha redic.

Celebrating J's birthday in San Diego watching the braves play

He informed me that he had planned his birthday weekend and all I needed to do was show up.  Right on. I'll sneak in a few surprises.


Celebrating our 1st year of marriage!

Among many other great things this year, I am very excited to celebrate this gal all year long...

this is how she looks most of the time :)

In October she is marrying one of the BEST guys I know...

Best of all, I get to be a part of it...

I've known her since kindergarten. She's my reality touchstone. She doesn't let me get away with anything. We have been sorority sisters, roommates, partners in some serious crimes, bridesmaids and the best of friends..My post college years especially would have been so much different without her. Let's not talk about it. She and her hubby to be have been together 8 + years. They are a serious example of two people that were put on this earth for each other. They are funny, energetic, loving, kind, great friends of hubs and I and really they are just good people yall. I am so excited to shower her with all sorts of greatness this year. She deserves the absolute best and definitely a great party!

I hope everyone has a very happy and blessed 2011. This challenge has been so great and I' m loving all my new blogs that I'm following!

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Day 10: 11 in 2011

Day 10: Favorite Girls Night Out Activities

Well, I may be partial but I think I have the best girlfriends in the world. They are such an important part of my life. I can't get enough girls weekends in my life . We are a big, close group that definitely knows how to have a great time. I wouldn't have it any other way.

First, my favorite girls....

my bach party

Liz's bach party

December engagement party hostesses

summer fun 

                                 

                                            Liz's wedding

cheers!

rehearsal dinner

Soooo when we get together....

I can always count on a trip to get manis 

A bottle or two of wine and some great hilarious convo's

And our favorite favorite has to be margaritas and mexican!

Since I live on the other coast we don't get to see each other as often. When we do, it makes me so very happy. They mean the world to me and I love them. End of Story.

  

Day 9: 11 in 2011

Day 9: Favorite thing to do on a cold winter day/night

 I swear by these mulling spices, they make your house smell so great when they are working their magic..

We love to put them in cider BUT the best thing to do on a cold night is put them in a bottle of your fav vino....it's warm, spicy and so delicious

Of course if it's cold you need to be sitting by one of these. We got really lucky that we got a wood burning fireplace out here. Not many places we looked at had them.

Then all I need is a cozy blanket and my hubs to make it super great!!

And if it's cold during the day, and I want to stay warm inside, AND drinking vino at noon isn't appropriate then this is my dream..

A board game, hot chocolate and a roaring fire...in an all white room of course. Lovely.