simple pleasures

In the middle of a very hectic day, in the midst of a very hectic week, I glanced over at the tissue box on my desk. I had always known the box was covered in pink flowers, but it never registered that they were garden roses - which are to be the main flowers in my bridal bouquet. This simple realization made me smile.

Remember to never be too busy to take delight in something small.

pretty petals

Look at these gorgeous roses I picked yesterday at Trader Joe's. For $5, I got the most fragrant, beautiful roses in an antique blush hue. Simply stunning.

searching...

Lately, I've been wholly uninspired. Maybe it's because I'm swamped at work and busy planning a wedding. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right area. Maybe I'm looking too hard.

Either way, it makes me jealous of those who seem to have boundless engergy and endless creativity. Like my dear friend Diana. She's a photographer who encompasses those things - and she has an amazing eye, to boot.

You can check out more of her inspired genius on her blog.

in my own little corner...

On top of my dresser is my uber-girlie sanctuary {my closet is getting there, but since I still share part of it with my honey, I can't say it's all mine}. Wanna take a peek?

Mark and I spent one late night painting an accent wall in our bedroom early in our relationship. 

Cute, huh? 

I love mini perfumes. So much variety and the opportunity to mix scents. But I have a few full-size bottles that I wear more often: Stella McCartney Stella and Chloe {sweet, feminine and perfect for every day} and Narciso Rodriguez For Her {a little spicier and perfect for date night}.

This bird-in-a-guilded-cage ornament is something I picked up at Anthropologie just after Christmas. It had a broken tail but my handy-dandy dad fixed it. Good as new and too pretty to pull out only once a year, so on my jewelry box it sits.

smitten kitten | beautifully bound books

Have you noticed the trend of publishers releasing classic stories featuring gussied up covers? I'm absolutely in love with the colorful, clothbound editions of classics like Emma, Great Expectations and Alice in Wonderland.

Other beautifully dressed books come from Ruben Toledo. His work has been featured in some of the most prominent publications in media and he's also done some work for Nordstrom.

Now, Penguin has released children's classics stories, including my favorite, Peter Pan. Add them to your wish list and pick them up at Anthropologie.

sparklers

This weekend, Mark did the museum circuit in D.C. - a welcomed break from the 12+ hours a day he's been working regularly. One of his stops included the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. And since I couldn't be there, he sent photos - and my favorites, of course, come from the Harry Winston Gallery, where the Hope Diamond is housed.





friday fantasy

I am so blessed in my life and I love where I'm at - struggles, triumphs and everything in between - but sometimes I think about the road I didn't take. You know, the alternate life I could be living if I'd chosen a different path.

So here's an ode to my dream life.

I would live here
{a few years ago, Christine and I spent my birthday in my favorite city and when we were walking to Mama's for breakfast, we passed this building. I told her I would live here one day}

~chestnut in north beach~

~an interior that is both modern and lovely~

I would brunch here with my dear friend Mari and her gorgeous baby girl

~mama's is delish~

I would row in these with this group

~pacific rowing club's boathouse~

I would ride around on this

~a sunny cruiser : nirve lahaina~

I would practice yoga here

~international orange. named after the color of paint used on the golden gate bridge~

Have a wonderful, dreamy weekend, lovelies! Make sure you take every opportunity afforded to you!