{Virtual Coffee}

I have lots of thoughts to share with you today for Virtual Coffee.

Oh, and I already drank my coffee today. It wasn't very good.

If we were having a chat over coffee today, I would tell you that I'm homesick right now. It's kind of strange, because I'm only at work, sitting at the same desk I sit at every weekday. Maybe it's because of the three day weekend. Or maybe I'm just feeling especially sentimental today.

I think, though, it has something to do with the title of my blog {and one of my favorite quotes}: Where We Love is Home.

I don't love here. I don't love even in this city. And sometimes, when I'm in a place that I don't love, with people I don't know, I get homesick. Like today. So I'm going to lunch with my friend, because I love her, and hopefully that will make me less homesick.

If we were having coffee today, I would tell you that I'm not perfect. I know, shocking, right? I judge people sometimes.

But I think I realized something this weekend. I think I realized that my life is the one that is important to me. And before you go off, saying that's really inconsiderate and mean, it's true.

I don't need to judge other people and the choices that they make in their lives if it doesn't affect me. My life is the one I should be worried about. My life, and the lives of the people that I care about. We all have been given the amazing gift of choice in this life, and everyone should be free to enjoy that gift.

If we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you that I really love this quote. Like really. A lot.

{Images via Pinterest}

Because taking risks is important, if you want to get anywhere. And things always seem to work themself out. I need to remember that too.

Love you.

Last Day for my June Giveaway!

If you haven't yet, be sure to enter my June Must Haves Giveaway! It ends tonight {5/31/2011} at midnight Pacific Time.

Good luck!

It was a good food weekend.

Nutella Brownies

White Bread

Cinnamon Bread

*     *     *     *     *

Swedish Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

1. Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer until there are no lumps.
2. Pour a half cup of the batter into a hot, greased pan, and swirl the batter until it covers the bottom of the pan.
3. Cook for thirty seconds to one minute on either side.
4. Enjoy with syrup, bananas, sugar, Nutella, jam, or any combination of the above.

Hope you all had a beautiful Memorial Day.

Love,

I’m not cheap. I’m frugal.

Like most twenty-four year olds, my husband and I have money problems sometimes. Like now.

We aren’t broke by any means {we can afford our rent this month, at least}, but we are still stretched pretty thin at the moment. I’m lucky, though, because I was raised by a coupon connoisseur.

Though, I guess if you compare my mom to one of those crazy women on those coupon shows, she wouldn’t be nearly as impressive. But I like to think that my mom is more realistic than those women.

Even if she did save $112 at the grocery store the other day. And spend 86 cents.

I remember cutting coupons in college, my roommates thinking I’m crazy. But I’m sure glad I did. It’s kind of amazing how much money you can save by just looking though the ad and planning your shopping trip and week’s menu accordingly.

I haven’t necessarily been couponing as much as I should/could have for the past year. But seeing as things are a bit tight these days, I knew that the first thing I could cut back on was our groceries. And this is how I did this weekend.

I like to challenge myself, and so I turned it into kind of a game. I’ve decided that we can easily spend $40 a week on groceries, as long as we eat the majority of our meals at home. And while it’s not so difficult to use coupons, it can be somewhat hard to eat healthy on such a budget. So, I’ve made some rules.

• We will eat at home for 6 dinners per week.
• We will eat at home for 6 breakfasts per week.
• We will eat at home {or bring food to work} for 5 lunches per week.
• One dinner per week must be fish.
• One dinner per week must be vegetarian.

Sundays are my shopping days. And how did I do today?

This was a trip to Vons, where we spent $20 on what was originally a $51 bill. Here are a few things that we got:

• Tortilla chips {$1.99}
• Sliced cheese {$1.49}
• Hamburger buns {$.88}
• Hot dogs {$.99}
• Sunny Delight {don’t judge, it was 50 cents}
• Corn on the cob {4/$.88}

We also got charcoal {$5.99}, which I don’t count as groceries, so technically we spent $14 of our $40 budget for the week at Vons. Some of this is going toward our BBQ for tomorrow, in which we are feeding a few friends, so I don’t think we did so bad!

This morning we also went to Ralphs, where I transferred a prescription from Target and got a $25 gift certificate. We spent $9.83 on what was originally a $49 bill, and we didn’t even have any coupons! Here are a few things that we got:

• Broccoli {$.99}
• Cauliflower {$.99}
• Salmon {$6.11}
• Hamburgers {$7.99}
• Organic milk {$3.29 – I only buy organic milk}
• Salad {$3.00}

We also got two packs of gum, which I also don’t count as groceries, so technically our total was $7.83. That means that between the two places, we spent $22 of our $40 budget for the week.

Not too shabby.

On Wednesday, I’ll go to Sprouts to buy some produce. If you have a Sprouts or Henry’s near you, here is a little secret: go on Wednesdays, because they have products on sale from both the previous week’s ad and the current week’s ad. That means double stuff on sale.

And, if you aren’t beyond bored yet by this post, I have actually planned our meals for the week too.

If you’re thinking that it’s kind of strange that I put “bagels” and “sandwiches” on a few of the meals, you would be right. I don’t necessarily think I need to plan out meals as simple as these, if I didn’t have bread rising right now so that we can have homemade bagels for breakfast tomorrow and fresh bread for sandwiches.

It’s been a very food-centric weekend. I’ve made quite a few yummy things the past few days, but I’m going to wait for the weekend to be over to post about it. Keep an eye out.

I’ve also spent quite a while this weekend creating a couple notebooks, which I can’t wait to show you. The page above is from my new household planner, which I’m kind of ecstatic about. I also made a recipe notebook, to hold my recipes. I’m thinking about perfecting them, and offering them up for sale. What you think? Good idea?

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations. I know that this isn’t the most exhilarating post of my blogging career, but I also know that there are plenty of young people out there who have no idea how couponing works. So, that’s how I do it.

I hope you’re all having a fantastic weekend, and I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday. Eat yummy food.

xoxo,

Happy Hour

Happy Friday friends! It know it’s been a while, but I’m finally bringing back Happy Hour this week.

I hope you’ve all had a fantastic week. Mine wasn’t too bad. I got Wednesday off so that I could get a CAT scan in the morning {not so fun} and go to Ellen in the afternoon {lots of fun}. The taping we went to was for Monday’s show, with Merideth Vieira and Taylor Swift, though T. Swift pre-recorded for the show and so wasn’t there on Wednesday. We got to sit in the front row though, so be sure to watch on Monday {it’s a holiday, so no excuses!} and maybe you’ll see me in my bright orange shirt!

This weekend is going to be laid back. Seriously, I’m ready for lots of Netflix, including but not limited to: The Office, Lost, and Law and Order, SVU. We’re going to BBQ on Monday, and I’m hoping to make some yummy food for my friends family, like ceviche, guacamole, grilled veggies, and maybe some yummy turkey burgers.

Anyway, here are a few things that I’m loving today…

My Friday’s Fancies

Be sure to link up with {av} at Long Distance Loving to post your Friday’s Fancies too!

This sweet little boy…

This pretty song and print…

Sparkly shoes…

This beautiful cake…

{all images via Pinterest}

*     *     *     *     *

We do happy hour all day on Fridays. Because it's five o'clock somewhere, right?

What are you drinking today?

Happy Hour is my weekly blog party, where we get to meet new friends, find new blogs to read, and destress from our week.  We're all busy ladies and sometimes we just need to get out with some friends, chat, and have a drink.

How to enter the party:

1. Must be a follower of Love is Home to participate. If you aren't already a follower, just click that "follow" button over there to the right.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of this post and click on the link to enter. 
3. Add your blog's information and button. 
4. And you're done!

And if you want, you are welcome to use one of my buttons in your post!

<br /> <a href="http://www.wherewelove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /> <img border="0" src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/missjoelleee/HappyHourButton_Wine_Frame.jpg"/><br /> </a>


<br /> <a href="http://www.wherewelove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /> <img border="0" src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/missjoelleee/HappyHourButton_ShirleyTemple_Frame.jpg"/><br /> </a>


<br /> <a href="http://www.wherewelove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /> <img border="0" src="http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s189/missjoelleee/HappyHourButton_Frame.jpg"/><br /> </a>

Much love friends,

I'm Obsessed...

With patterns. 

Lately, all I've been thinking about when dreaming about my future home, is all of the fun and funky geometric patterns I want to use. 

{via Pinterest}

Are you obsessing over geometric patterns too? Then you should probably enter this fabulous giveaway from A La Mode to win one of these gorgeous lamp shades:

What are you obsessing over these days?

Love,

Happy Wednesday

I'm off to Ellen for the afternoon. 

And then maybe some In-N-Out. 

And we've recorded Oprah. I'm ready to cry. 

{via Pinterest}

Listen to that advice. 

It's important. 

Love you all.

Number 32

It's sounds simple. I mean, it can't be that hard.

Get Organized

I have been trying to get organized for a very long time {read: years}. I love organization. I love reading blogs and books about being organized.

Am I strange? Absolutely, though you didn't really need this post to tell you that.

Anyway, it's on my list. And I need to get started.

Like I said, I have tried for a very long time to get everything from my life to my work to my home organized. I left number 32 vague on purpose, because I want to get as organized as possible.

Usually, however, I just go. I don't make a plan. I don't really research. I just start creating a notebook or Google Site.

This time, I'm going to prepare. And this time, I have my blog. I don't want to start just another personal organization blog. I do, however, want to share how a normal person like myself gets organized.

So, here are the areas in my life that I need/want to organize:

Recipes and menu planning

Coupons and grocery shopping {look for another blog post about this soon}

Finances and bills

Cleaning schedule and household chores

Calendar and schedule

To-dos and errands

Goals {both short term and long term}

My blog

My business

Birthdays and other events

Miscellaneous personal things {i.e. prescriptions, diet, etc.}

Sounds random? It is. I have absolutely no idea where to start. But I do know that I want to be as streamlined as possible. I want to use the right tools, whether it's a physical notebook for some things {I like my handwriting too much to do everything on the computer} or syncing my iPhone with Google. And I want to be efficient.

The point of this post? I want to know your secrets. How do you stay organized? What is the best tip you can give me? Are there any resources that you recommend?

I NEED HELP PEOPLE.

Thanks :)

{Virtual Coffee} and My Summer Must Haves!

I made coffee in our French press this morning, but I was impatient and poured it too soon, so it kind of tastes like water today.

Coffee fail...

Anyway, I got to work and added a little bit of coffee from our office coffee maker, which is always a little bit thicker than coffee should {but, again, it's from the office coffee maker...what do I expect?}. It will work for now.

I just need to get up five minutes earlier tomorrow to make sure that we don't have another coffee situation on our hands.

So now that I've written almost an entire post about coffee, maybe I should actually get to the important stuff.

If we were actually having coffee this morning, I would tell you how excited I am to work on four days this week and four days next week. Granted, I'm getting a CT scan in the morning {and I'm not looking forward to drinking a gallon of that nasty contrast} but we are finally going to Ellen tomorrow! We were supposed to go in January, but we got stuck in the riff-raff room, so we got tickets for April, but that show was cancelled. I really hope they don't give us an excuse for tomorrow either.

If we were actually having coffee this morning, I would tell you how much I hate money. I really, really hate money. I mean, it's not so bad when you actually have some to spend. But when you don't, that's when the problems start.

Here's to hoping that we don't have too many big problems...

And lastly, if we were having coffee this morning, I would tell you how excited I was to participate in Krysten's Summer Must Haves Swap! I was paired with the fabulous Erika at Flip Flops and Sippy Cups, and got my package almost two weeks ago! She was really on the ball with that one...

I got some fantastic stuff for the summer too!

Recognize that bag? It's the one I used to compare for my own Summer Must Haves Swap and June Must Haves giveaway!

I also got the most amazing pink nail polish {Sally Hansen quick dry} and some really yummy smelling body wash. And I forgot to take a picture of the Burt's Bees chapstick she included, because as soon as I opened the package, I opened it, used it, and threw it in the my purse. I love Burt's Bees...

I sent my package to Erika last week, and I included some fun things in it too, of which you can get too by entering my June Must Haves giveaway! You have until May 31st, and there are a few different ways to enter. I can't wait to see who wins!

I hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday my friends, and be sure to link up with sweet Amy over at Lucky Number 13 for some {Virtual Coffee}.

Love you,

Weekend Confessions

This weekend, after getting four different slushes at Sonic, I decided that cherry limeade is still my favorite. Oh, and I still really like cheese-tots.

I also learned that a day of drinking four different kinds of slushes and eating cheese-tots, along with popcorn chicken, beef jerkey, cheese munchies, hamburgers, and two glasses of wine doesn't make for a happy tummy.

I think I need a weekend detox.

*     *     *     *     *

Robert and I stayed at a hotel on Saturday night because someone else was staying in my parent's guest bedroom. It {almost} felt like a vacation.

I need a vacation.

*     *     *     *     *

We saw the new Pirates of the Caribbean last night. It was good.

Don't read the reviews. Take it for what it is. And what it is is funny and silly and entertaining.

It's not an Academy Award contender. Get over it.

*     *     *     *     *

This weekend I learned that I need an iPad just so that I can watch Law and Order SVU episodes on Netflix. 

I learned that my bed really is the best bed in the world. Or, at least, better than the Fairfield Inn's beds.

And I learned that I love being with my family, even if we're just standing in line for an hour for a movie.

Oh, and does anyone know of a magical cure for annoyance? I could use it today.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

 

Writer's Block is a Terrible Thing.

I find that I don’t write as much as I should, or want to, really. I keep reading advice on how to write: you just do. You designate a time and a place, and if you don’t feel inspired to write, you sit. You think. If you can’t find the inspiration on your own, you wait. You wait until it finds you.

I’ve tried to do that. I’ve tried to just sit and do nothing, waiting to rid myself of what could only be considered “writer’s block.” But the thing is, I have the story in my head. I’m thinking of it every second of every day, knowing that all I have to do is get it down on paper. So why can’t I just put it into words?

I have found plenty of excuses not to write.

Robert has the nice computer, and I can’t write using anything else.

Our apartment is too distracting. I need to get away from the TV and from my husband and all the chores that I need to do.

But Starbucks is too busy. Maybe I’ll try it at home again.

I have this scene in my head, but I need inspiration to build it. Let me browse the internet for a few hours minutes and see what I can come up with.

It’s recently hit me, though, what my biggest excuse is. And I don’t even know if it is an excuse. It’s more of a reason why I just can’t seem to finish this book.

I’m scared. I’m scared that I’m wasting my time doing something that will never get me anywhere in life. I’m scared that my story is stupid. But most of all, I’m scared that I’m not a good writer.

I’m terrified of that critique, the one where everything gets laid out, telling me that I’m terrible at writing.

That I shouldn’t consider myself a writer.

That I should just stop now.

But even if I stop writing it out and typing it up, I’ll never stop creating the story. Because it’s in my head. It’s real. To me, at least. And I desperately hope that someday it's real to someone else too.

*     *     *     *     *

Do you consider yourself a writer? How do you find the inspiration? Do you struggle with these feelings too?

Because I don’t like these feelings. And I would really like them to go away.

Love,

Friday's Fancies

Happy Friday friends! I'm linking up today with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies. I jumped the gun last week, and posted about my perfect wine tasting outfit, which is {av}'s prompt for today. So, instead, I just made an outfit perfect for a relaxing weekend. Because I definitely won't be relaxing this weekend, though I'll be dreaming that I am.

{all images and items via Pinterest}

Be sure to link up with Long Distance Loving today! I can't to see what you're wearing this weekend.

Oh, and Happy Hour is on hiatus this week. Hopefully it will be back next week!

Another thing...be sure to enter my giveaway, if you haven't already!

Have a good Friday, my loves.

June Must Haves Giveaway

I’m so excited to introduce you all to my new giveaway series! I got the idea from Krysten over at After I Do, who put together a Summer Must Haves swap. I sent off my package to my partner a few days ago, and now it’s your turn!

So, without further adieu, I present to you my June Must Haves!

These are all things that I find necessary for the first month of summer. Including:

An adorable bag for those beach days.

A sweet little bowl.

A yummy smelling candle.

Summery lotion

And, of course, a pretty, light scarf.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Be a follower of Where We Love is Home.
2. Follow me on Twitter.
3. Tweet about this giveaway.
4. “Like” Where We Love is Home on Facebook.
5. Blog about this giveaway.

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry above. The giveaway will be open until May 31st at midnight. Good luck!

xoxo,

Today I'm dreaming of...Australia

Maybe it's my new obsession with Lost, though I doubt I would get on a plane right now bound for Australia.

Or maybe it's because it's so gloomy outside, and I need some sunshine and the beach...

But today, I'm dreaming of Australia.

 

{all photos via National Geographic}

Beautiful.

What are you dreaming of today?

xoxo,

Not Having a Good Day?

Neither was I.

And then I saw this.

{via Pinterest}

You're welcome. 

Virtual Coffee

Happy Tuesday. It's time for Virtual Coffee Chai Latte {I think this obsession is lasting a little bit longer than usual}.

If we were having coffee today, I would tell you that I had to drive a rental to work today.

It rained.

The Toyota dealership always offers me a car when I take mine in for maintenance, and so this time I took them up on the offer, since my car needs a lot of work {and will probably put me back $500, but that's beside the point...}.

Anyway, this is the second time I've driven a rental and it rained. They couldn't give me another Corolla, either. They had to give me the behemoth that is the Dodge Charger.

I feel like I'm driving a tank, which is fine. Except for the rain.

I hate driving in the rain. Especially driving cars that I'm not familiar with. But, you'll be happy to know that I survived the drive.

If we were actually having coffee this morning, I would tell you that we watched three more episodes of Lost last night. And we stopped on the episode where they find out that the one guy {I think his name is Ethan?} wasn't on the plane. Super creepy.

And it's really difficult for me not to go onto Wikipedia right now and find out who he is and why he's there.

This. Sucks.

{We have trivia tonight too, so I won't get to find out until at least tomorrow. Lord Help me.}

If we were actually having coffee this morning, I would tell you to look over at that little number on the right over there ----->

It's almost at three hundred! Craziness I tell you, craziness!

If we were actually having coffee this morning, I would ask you if you still wanted to do Happy Hour on Fridays. I like it, but do you? Is it something worth continuing?

Oh, and one more thing. I could use some positive thoughts, prayers, good luck, or whatever else you want to send my way.

I have my annual evaluation at work today. I'm scared.

That's all. Love you.

Weekend Confessions

Robert and I started watching Lost on Netflix this weekend. We watched four episodes on Saturday night and three episodes last night.

I wanted to start Grey's Anatomy, but Lost was the winner. I have no idea why Robert wouldn't want to watch {almost} the entire series of Grey's Anatomy with me. No idea at all...

We had to have a conversation before watching the first episode. It was about commitment. Kind of like starting a new relationship.

Yeah, it's pretty serious.

*     *     *     *     *

I had my very first meeting with my very first client this weekend. I'm going to be her day-of coordinator for her wedding in three weeks and I'm very excited. 

But if anyone has any suggestions on how to find work without using Craigslist, please let me know. Oh, and if you have an idea on how to actually make money from an endeavor such as this, it would be greatly appreciated. Since, you know, I'm not charging her anything...

Hey, I have to start somewhere.

*     *     *     *     *

I went shopping on Saturday for my Summer Must Haves swap from Krysten at After I Do. I already got a package from my partner {I'm linking up with Krysten on the 24th, so you'll see what I got then}, so I feel kind of bad that I couldn't go shopping until this weekend. But now I have a few fun things, and they are sitting in a box in my car waiting to get shipped.

Oh, and I also picked up the same stuff for one of my fabulous readers. Remember that giveaway series that I wrote about a few weeks ago? Yeah, this is the first giveaway in that series.

I think I'm going to call it my "Monthly Must Haves."

I know. So original.

But come back on Wednesday for my June Must Haves. It will be awesome, promise.

Be excited.

*     *     *     *     *

This weekend I learned that potato chips in ice cream is actually pretty delicious. Thank you Jimmy Fallon for that revelation.

I learned that I really need to stop waiting three months in between eye brow waxes. I was starting to get a unibrow. It wasn't pretty.

And I learned that I should probably always have an extra box of dryer sheets. Just in case our linen closet decides to hide them from us, of course.

*     *     *     *     *

Hope you had a good weekend friends. And good luck today. It's Monday, so you're obviously going to need it. 

Friday's Fancies

It's been so nice outside these days, that I think it's the perfect weekend to go wine tasting, don't you think?

I'm fortunate enough to live about an hour away from some of the best wine in California: the Santa Ynez valley, known for their gorgeous wineries and delicious Pinot Noir. And while I probably won't get the chance to actually get away this weekend, I can dream, can't I?


{all images via Pinterest}

 I hope you all have a fabulous weekend too. And be sure to link up with {av} at Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies!

{I had a pretty fantastic post that I wrote yesterday about my 10 favorite things. It got deleted in Blogger-gate 2011, just like everyone elses, but since I import my posts onto Facebook, it's saved there. I'll try to repost it this weekend, if it doesn't magically show up within the next few hours.}

xoxo,

My Favorite Things

One of my best blog friends, Andrea over at A Steady Stream of Chatter, tagged me in her fabulous post about her ten favorite things. If you don't know Andrea, you really should. She's pretty much the funniest person I've met in blog land so far. Don't believe me? Read this. It's my favorite {and the first post of her's that I read}.

Okay, so now that that's out of the way, here are my ten things. Oh, and she called me her most honest friend, so I'm going to be honest here. Even if it means embarassing myself, because I like to think that honesty is a good thing. Right?

1. In-N-Out

Does this one really surprise you? I'm sure you are all well aware of my infatuation with these burgers and fries {and, on occasion, their chocolate milk shakes}. If you don't know what In-N-Out is, or if you've never been, I strongly encourage a trip to California just so you can see why I love it so much. And if you don't love it so much, don't tell me. Because then we can't be friends. I mean, not really, but you still shouldn't tell me.

Oh, and if you live in Texas, they recently opened their first two stores in the Dallas area. You better get your butt over there soon. But still come to California. It's pretty awesome here.

2. Taylor Swift

Didn't you know? T. Swift and I are bff.

Ha. I wish.

I first listened to Love Story in January of 2009. How do I remember such an insignificant detail, you ask? Well, because the day after I heard the song for the first time {and subsequently downloaded and listened to it about a hundred times more}, Robert proposed.

Needless to say, I walked down the aisle to Love Story.

I own every single song that Taylow Swift has ever recorded and released. And I know all the words. I've seen her perform twice, though never at a concert: at the 2010 VMAs {Innocent} and at an impromptu performance in Hollywood {Long Live}. I'm desperately trying to get tickets to her Speak Now tour when she comes to LA. I think I might go hungry for a few weeks, just so I can afford a ticket...

3. Geek

Geek is my dog. Well, really he's my brother's dog. Who lives at my parents house. But that's beside the point.

He's a chihuahua. Or, he's supposed to be, at least. It doesn't really matter, because he's cute.

4. Robert, aka my husband

What kind of list would this be if it didn't include the obvious?

5. Twilight

And this is where is starts to get honest. And kind of embarassing.

Yes, I love Twilight. I really only love Twilight for the love story {I'm a sucker for a good romance}, and I'm team Edward, just in case you were wondering. 

I probably shouldn't say anything further on this subject, to save myself from further humiliation. I'll also refrain from searching for and posting a picture....

6. My iPhone

Call me pathetic, but I love my phone. On my list of things needed for survival, I would probably place the need for my iPhone between needing sleep and needing coffee.

I only just got this thing in October, and I'm addicted. I can't go back. If I forget my phone in the morning, I will drive home just to get it. I have to fully charge it twice a day because I use it too much.

Random fact that I doubt you knew and probably never wanted to know: my ringtone {for everyone} is Hey Stephen by number two up there.

7. Wine

I know, this list is just a wealth of information about me that you didn't know...

Don't act surprised. I know you're not.

But, in case you need me to be more specific {or in case you suddenly feel inspired to send me a bottle of wine for my birthday}:

I prefer red wine.

Actually, I prefer Cabernet Sauvignon.

Actually, my favorite Cabernet is Firestone.

How's that for specific?

8. DISNEYLAND

I grew up fifteen minutes from Disneyland. My entire family {mom, aunt, stepdad, sister, brother, husband...} all worked there {I didn't}. I've had an annual pass for three of the past five years.

I. Love. Disneyland.

I love that I can be a kid for a day, without having to worry about anything. I love the rides. I love getting my picture taken with the princesses. I love that every time to go, even if I've been a thousand times before, I find something new.

{via We Heart It}

9. My Bed

Who doesn't love their bed? Some of the best things happen in bed...

Like naps. Duh.

I love sleeping. I can, and often do, sleep for twelve hours at a time. If I could sleep that long every night, and still have enough time in my day to do everything I want to do, I so would.

I love my bed.

That's not my bed, but doesn't it look comfy? {via We Heart It}

10. This Blog

I really do love this blog. And I love all of you. You have no idea how amazing this experience has been, to be able to share with you my thoughts and my dreams and my insecurities and my writing. The support I get, the kind words and the sweet comments, is more than I ever could have asked for, and I sincerely thank all of you. Blogging is really the best kind of therapy, and I know that I wouldn't be as happy as I am without it.

So that's it, my ten favorite things. And because I was tagged in Andrea's post, I want to tag three more:

Jillian @ Cornflake Dreams

Alisha @ Married in Chicago

Kristen @ A Kapple a Day

And if you decide to do a favorite things post, let me know! I can't wait to see what you have to say.

Love you.

I'm Dreaming of...Morocco

Wednesday's are tough. It's the middle of the week, but Friday seems so far away.

And I desperately need a vacation. So consider this a "virtual vacation," if you will. Today, I'm going to Morocco.

Gorgeous. Historic. Colorful.

{all photos via National Geographic}

Someday I'll get to go everywhere in the world. Until then, I'll just have to enjoy the thought. And the pictures.

xoxo,

Virtual Coffee

It's Tuesday. It's also one of those days where my coffee just doesn't taste right. I tried multiple times this morning to get the sugar-to-milk-to-coffee ratio perfect. It's definitely not perfect, but I gave up after the third try. So, I'm putting up with less than stellar coffee, which, since it's from the office coffee pot, is pretty much a give in. Hopefully this doesn't set the theme for my day. Because I'm feeling better than I was yesterday, and I want to have a good Tuesday. Really, I do.

I had to leave work early yesterday because I was sick. I got home and slept for six hours, which seemed like a good idea at the time. Then bedtime {read: 9 o'clock} came and went and I was still awake. To be fair though, it wasn't entirely my fault. My husband was just exceptionally funny last night, and we were having too much fun watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to sleep. It's nights like last night that I wish we had more hours in the day. Or that I didn't require as much sleep as I do.

If we were really having coffee this morning {which I so wish we were}, I would tell you how I'm having some serious house envy right now. Don't get me wrong, I love my apartment {mostly because it's mine}, but I've been pouring over pictures from Honey We're Home and I just can't wait until I have a beautiful {and big} kitchen and my own office. There's not much I can do for my miniscule kitchen, but I'm starting to think that maybe I need to dedicate my own space in our little office, just for me. Somewhere that's all mine, that I can decorate and organize for myself, even if it's just a little corner. What do you think?

If we were really having coffee this morning, I would tell you how much I want to start my own event planning business, but I just have no idea where to start. Because however much I wish I could make writing my career, this is a little bit more realistic {even if just by a bit}. I have put some ads on Craigslist for free event planning, but nobody's bitten! And I'm working hard at getting my blog updated and website up, but I am seriously indecisive when it comes to stuff like designing things like that. So, if you have any suggestions on how I can get started, please let me know! And, if you know of anyone in the Ventura and Santa Barbara {California} areas that are getting married soon and might like some help planning, send them my way.

I think that might be it for today's edition of {Virtual Coffee}. Tonight is Glee. And chicken masala. And maybe an ice cream, I haven't decided yet. I love ice cream.



And I love you. Have a good day.

{via Etsy}

xoxox,

Weekend Confessions

Robert and I went to the Angel's baseball game with my mom and stepdad on Saturday night. They lost. But at least I looked cute.

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I committed myself to doing way too much for Mother's Day. I love all the mothers in my life, and I wanted to make sure that they all knew that.

So I did book page wreathes for my mom and mother-in-law.

And flowers in vases for everyone else.

I also made brunch for my husband's family {cream cheese stuffed French toast with sauteed strawberries, potato and egg casserole, bacon, and bloody Marys} and dinner for my family {pasta with sausage sauce, chicken picatta, salad, and chocolate cake}.

I wouldn't have minded doing all of this, if I hadn't felt like death immediately after making brunch for my in-laws and had to sleep on the couch while they ate.

I'm still feeling very sick. I really want to be home right now.

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I confess that I don't take nearly enough pictures.

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This weekend I learned that spending time with family is always satisfying, especially if spending time with them means making an impromptu trip to Sonic after the baseball game and getting "cheese-tots" and a cherry-limeade slushie.

I learned that working with a glue gun for six hours straight will give you the gnarliest blister on your thumb...and it will hurt for days afterward.

Oh, and I have the best mom in the world...the best mom for me, at least.

Love you Mom.

And I love all of you, too.

xoxo,