nikon heaven

It isn't necessarily the perfect time [financially] for my boyfriend and I to have made such a huge investment in a new camera [we picked up the Nikon D3000 last weekend!] + telephoto lens. But after thinking about the major things happening [see here] or about to happen in our lives, we couldn't say no. [In addition to the fact my boyfriend lost our point-and-shoot and I've been dying for a DSLR]. And now, we can't put it down. I suffered a small case of buyer's remorse the night we bought it, but have come to realize it is the absolute best purchase we've ever made.

Below is a small sample from the 421 [!] photos we took within the first 24 hours it was ours!

On another note, it's quite possible my quest for the perfect dress has ended. See me in Rebecca Taylor below.

gemini

Print by MursBlanc - 8x8, $18 on etsy

fingers crossed

My boyfriend and I are [this] close to being in contract to buy our first house! It was built in 1900 and has all the details I would want to recreate if it was any newer - crown molding, high ceilings, long windows, and the cutest little white picket fence. Although we have a long way to go before it's ours, I am already dreaming up my design schemes [with or without my boyfriend's input!].

coco + kelley blogged about using citron as an accent color today, and I am loving this living room + color palette from elle decor.

Hopefully I'll have some of my own before and after photos very soon!


Photo via coco + kelley & elle decor

the perfect wedding storm

Last night I was lucky enough to style a photoshoot as a part of Bustle and every detail couldn't have been more divine. An amazing team of vendors gathered and together, created absolute perfection.

The pictures must remain under lock & key for now, but here is a little preview of the floral by Floral Theory...and this is before they were arranged. Heavenly.

hello, jess!

Jessica Alba opened eyes at Paris Fashion Week; how gorgeous is she? I can't decide which look I love more.

Photos via here and here

superficial

There's absolutely no reason I want this Roberts Revival Radio other than the fact that I think it would be the cutest [and most unnecessary] beach accessory. Move over ipod.

[photo via anthropologie]

always & forever

After my sister's wedding week, a trip to my boyfriend's lake house for Memorial Day weekend, a wild birthday weekend in Vegas to celebrate my 27th, a quick and blistering hot stop in Charleston, SC for work, a day of bocce ball to celebrate my dad on Father's Day, and much more I am BACK! Life has been insane, so I am looking forward to a weekend of r e l a x a t i o n and a little time to stop and smell the roses the rest of this summer.

Despite everything I've done over the past month, a memory that will last a lifetime is my little sister tying the knot.

She was married at the Monte Verde Inn on May 15, 2010 and the day was absolutely perfect. The girls were able to sleep over the night before the wedding, and spend the entire day getting ready there. These photos are from my camera (with a few taken by the Inn), but I have seen a sneak peek of Christine Taylor's shots (my sis' amazing photographer) and they are stunning! I will be posting my favorites when the time comes.

And YES, I caught the bouquet...

sneak peek

Full wedding weekend update to come (my sister was an absolutely GORGEOUS bride!)...until then, here are some of my photo booth pictures! Erin over at Bustle and I made the props - aren't they adorable?

momma's love

Sorry for the radio silence around here lately - as you have heard (a million times!) my little sis tied the knot last weekend and I have been insanely busy preparing for months! More on that later...but it was an absolutely perfect wedding weekend and I can't wait to share.

A few weeks ago, I spent Mother's Day celebrating my best friend. My momma has been incredible to me throughout my entire life, and a day doesn't go by that I don't call her multiple times, for multiple reasons. She truly is the perfect woman! And my dad would agree.

On Mother's Day, I cooked a delicious (if I do say so myself) brunch at my boyfriend's parents' house in honor of all the mommas (including me - see my new puppy, Tommy, below!).

The day couldn't have been more perfect!

[fresh squeezed lemonade]


[cremini mushroom, shallot & bacon crustless quiche]


[amazing brown sugar & cayenne drenched bacon]


[fruit trifle made by my little sis]


[a perfect day]


[Tommy - my new baby!]

tick, tock

Lately, life has been BUSY [to say the least!]...in addition to work being crazy, my little sister is getting hitched next week and I haven't had a moment to spare. In stressful times like these, a glance at this poster would really keep things in perspective...and my belly full, of course.

Via KeepCalm

dripping in jewels

Remember these puppies? I played dress up with little Daphne recently [and some of the gorgeous bridesmaid jewelry meant for my sister's upcoming wedding!]. This little gal was clearly born with style.

weekend report: summer vacation

Okay, so it wasn't summer vacation...but it felt like it! This weekend marked the close of Northstar-at-Tahoe's winter season and my boyfriend and I had to squeeze one last ski[me]/snowboard[him] trip in before it was too late. The weather was amazing [I am talking 80 degrees!] and we experienced what felt like summer skiing at it's finest.

[a gorgeous spring ski day!]

[live music and cold beer at the lodge]

[dinner and cocktails with my ♥]

take me away

Lately the travel bug has been itching me like crazy. Last week I was [this] close to booking a cheap [no, really!] 9-night trip to London in October for my boyfriend and I...but I didn't do it. Wherever my next adventure will take me, I am on the market and taking suggestions!

Our last getaway was a [quick] week long trip to Maui - it was teeming with activities from concerts, to lots of fish & overflowing mai-tais, to surf competitions, snorkeling, hiking, and swimming in waterfalls, whale watching, and witnessing the largest swell on the northshore in years [55+ foot waves!]. Needless to say, it was

a m a z i n g.

[hiking through the pineapple fields to see Laird Hamilton tackle huge waves at Jaws - aka Peahi]

[swimming in waterfalls]

[snorkeling]

[donovan frankenreiter at Tia Juana's in Kaanapali]

[watching the women's billabong pro in Honolua Bay]

[a little relaxation]