12 Years

12 years ago Jon asked me to be his girlfriend.

A couple weeks ago he asked me to be his wife.

A year from now we will be married.

Amazing how time flies.

Happy Anniversary Babe

*This is a picture from our first Halloween together...we were babies!

Here's To 25 Years Oprah!

Today the Oprah Winfrey Show takes a final bow and ends a 25 year run. But you probably knew that already unless you currently reside under a large rock. I have seen a lot of people on facebook and twitter sheepishly admitting that they will miss her show. Well I must tell you that I will miss the OWS very much and I don't care who knows it.

Oprah came on the air the year I was born so I have technically not been a watcher since the very beginning as I could not hold my own head up for the first season. But I grew and as I did her show was always on in my house. I think I was around 10 when I started to seriously watch Oprah. I remember when she started the Angel Network, her book club, and her first favorite things episodes. I would get my homework done as soon as I got home and take a break from playing with the kids in the neighborhood at 4 o'clock to see what was on Oprah that day.

I wish I knew just how many Oprah shows I have watched and then re watched when there were reruns. I remember the beef debacle, the bra sizing episode and who could forget the introduction of Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Nate Burkus, and Suze Orman. Sometimes the show was funny, sometimes sad but it was always really genuine and had a message to leave the viewer with.

I can't remember how young I was but there was an episode years ago in which Oprah threw a dart at a board with pictures of her audience members on it. The chosen audience members were then followed by the Oprah crew and they would get to tell their "story". The whole point of the show was to make an example of how everyone has a story. And its really true, we all have a story and at the end of the day we want to be heard. It was that very episode that inspired me to become a therapist.

So as the clock ticks to five o'clock tomorrow and the Oprah Show goes off the air for good I will be sad and I don't care who knows it.

Did you watch the Oprah show? What were some of your favorite episodes?

Goin To The Chapel: After the Engagement

It's been 17 days since we got engaged and it has been a whirlwind-the best type of whirlwind I have ever been caught up in. Like a whirlwind filled with glitter, cakes and beautiful dresses. We will be getting married next May but we really hit the ground running where wedding planning is concerned. I think that can be expected when you have been together for 12 years...right?

I've noticed something about wedding magazines, they may claim to be there as a resource but I don't really see that as being true. I was so excited to pick up my first wedding magazine but that excitement soon fizzled after I saw how they veiled all sorts of expensive exrtras in "wedding must haves". Not fooling this bride wedding magazines! I flipped a few more pages only to see a segment called "bridal nightmares" in which three full pages were filled with actual nightmares from real brides. Now I know some brides might like to hear that others have scary worries too...but not me. Those horror stories gave me anxiety. So I closed the magazine and haven't looked back. I will get my research done on the good ole www thankyouverymuch!

Ok so now I have some questions for you friends.

-What are some things that you loved about your wedding?

-What are some things that if given the chance to do over you would have done differently?

-If you aren't married what are some things that you saw at weddings that you liked?

What I Wore: My Triscuit Skirt

The Ensemble:

Footwear:

Close Up:

Top: Target-More Specifically Merona, The Rosanna Top

Skirt: J.Crew

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Ring: Flying Lizard Design

Nail Polish:

Fingers-OPI Heartthrob

Toes: Essie Turquoise and Caicos

Watch: Michael Kors

Pro-Tips: A Nail Polish Tutorial

I have made it pretty obvious around these parts that I have a bit of a nail polish obsession. At this point I need an intervention or a nail salon.

It is a rare occurrence that my nails are naked. But it wasn't always that way, you see there was a time when having my nails done by someone else was the only way I would have them painted. When I tried to paint them myself it was a mani/pedi massacre! But over the years I have gotten better at it and painting my nails is actually fun. A fellow blogger asked for a nail painting tutorial and your wish is my command!

I actually did a tutorial a couple of years ago. In said tutorial I suggested the tip painting method-this has always worked well for me but I do know that it can turn out horribly chunky with some polishes. Therefore, I must redeem myself, chunky nails no more!!

Ok let's get started, shall we?

You Will Need:

It is helpful to have a file, cuticle tools, nail clippers, nail polish remover, cotton pads, and q-tips. The cuticle tools are not necessary but they help make the nail bed look purdy. If you use the cuticle tools make sure to soak your nails in warm water first to soften the skin around your nails.

Trim your nails to a comfortable length (I like my nails nice and short-the better to type with my dear), file the edges so they are nice and smooth. Now this next part is important-wipe your nails down with nail polish remover, even if your nails did not previously have polish on them. Wiping your naked nails down with polish remover will take off the oils that will make your nail polish chip.

Ok it looks like we are ready to go!

Speaking of ready to go, do yourself a favor and visit the bathroom.

You weren't expecting that as the next step were you? I find this step important because I cannot tell you the number of times I have put a coat of polish on my nails and then had the distinct feeling of I GOTTA GO NOW! Also, try unbuttoning your pants with wet nails, its load of fun. Not.

Alrighty, we are ready for some color! I am using "Dutch Tulips" by OPI today. The biggest mistake you can make when painting your nails is having too much paint on your brush. Having too much paint on the brush can lead to it running straight off your nail and onto the skin around your nail AND too much polish doesn't dry very evenly which leads to premature cracking. So listen up and get off that extra polish.

Now for the painting! I like to brace the hand being painted on a table. Start with a singular swipe down the middle of your nail instead of the sides. This way if there is extra polish on the brush it will run onto naked nail instead of your skin. Now use the other side of the brush and polish the rest of the nail.

Repeat this with all ten nails. This first coat of paint will be thin and you will be tempted to put more paint on rightaway! But stop it, that would be a bad idea. Take at least 5-10 minutes to watch tv or something sedentary like that.

Now repeat this process two more times and after each coat let it dry completely. I cannot stress this enough. By waiting just ten minutes after each coat you are adding days onto your manicure. Now is a good time to dip that q-tip into the nail polish remover and get rid of any stray polish on your skin-don't beat yourself up. Nobody is perfect.

Now let's say you made it through all three coats but all of a sudden you need to head out of the house, really need to pick your nose or you didn't listen to my forewarning and you have to use the potty like no other-I can help you out. Go into your kitchen and get your cooking spray, yes really. Now give your nails a light spritz . This will dry your nails to the touch so you can get on with your life.

I don't recommend smoking in general as a rule, but definitely don't smoke after spraying your nails with cooking spray. Instead rinse your nails with cold water to get the spray off of your hands (it will also help set the polish) and the wash your hands as normal.

Like I said, nobody is perfect-painting your nails takes practice. The more you do it the easier, faster and less messy it gets. So keep at it! Painting your nails is a fun way to dress up your outfits, makes you feel a bit sassier and fancier. Look how much fun it is!

Ok, what time should I show up for my intervention?

Our Engagement Story

First of all.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your love and support.

I can't tell you how much it meant to me (and Jon) to read all of your sweet comments.

I am thrilled to experience all of the excitement of this next chapter in my life and our relationship but I am also really excited to share it with you all.

Well today I thought I would fill ya in on how Jon popped the question!

Ok, so he told me that we were going camping in Big Sur for the weekend but on the way we would stop in Carmel first. Sure, I said, sounds good. More specifically we stopped at Point Lobos State Reserve.

We walked around and saw sea otters, seals, birds-it was magical.

Little did I know it was going to get a lot more magical.

We stopped at this very spot

And Jon got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

What did I say? I said "Yeaaaaah" (Kind of like how you would say yeah if someone asked you if you wanted a delicious looking burrito) I know, real classy!

I quickly gained composure and said YES!

Jon then said he had another surprise for me, he was never intending on going camping.

He had booked a really fancy hotel for us to stay at for the weekend!

This was our view

And this little guy joined us for our breakfasts on the balcony

And here is a shot from our celebratory dinner

I felt like I had gone to fiance heaven!

For the rest of the weekend we tinkered up and down the coast.

We did some shopping because I only had clothes for camping. We happened upon this adorable riverside restaurant that had chairs in the water.

But eventually we had to go home. And when we made it home we were greeted by all these balloons that my parents had decorated our patio with.

It was a weekend I will remember for the rest of my life.

The Beginning of Many Beginnings

In high school I had a crush n a boy. He was quiet, cute and had somewhat of a bad boy image. He rode his skateboard everywhere, had piercing hazel eyes and I was pretty sure he didn't know I existed. But it turned out he did know who I was, he asked me out at the end of our Freshman year. Our friends were so confused by our dating because we were so different. Nobody expected it to last, not even us.

At the end of high school the boy I was dating decided to go away to college, not far but still, it wasn't close. He broke my heart with that decision. But the time apart let me focus on school, on myself. Looking back, it was probably a really good thing for both of us.

When I was in graduate school my boyfriend asked me to move in with him. I heated up pre-made Trader Joe's meals, put them on a plate and considered it cooking. He complimented my use of a microwave as though I had made a gourmet meal. We were so stinkin happy living together.

That boy/guy/boyfriend evolved into a man that I could see myself spending the rest of my life with. He's been the only one I have ever dated and loved, but as you can see our love has changed over the years. With just as much hard work as enjoyment our love has evolved from puppy love to something so very strong and very real. And this weekend our love grown once more.

This weekend Jon asked me to be his wife and I said yes.

Happy Weekend/Mother's Day

In a couple minutes Jon and I are off to Big Sur for a camping weekend. We will be heading home on Sunday to pick up Franker from my parent's house and celebrate our mom's on mother's day.

Speaking of Mother's Day I will now direct you over to this post that I wrote a couple of years ago for my mom on Mother's Day. I would love it if you would leave a comment about what you love about your mom/mother figure OR what you love about being a mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely mama's out there.

Have a great weekend!

Shopping Amnesia

You guys, I think I forgot how to shop.

I know.

I haven't really shopped in a good long while, trying to save money and all. But Spring has sprung and I realized that I am in NEED (not want-big distinction) some things to spruce up my wardrobe. So we've got that established. But here's the thing, I open a web page and I freeze. I might see something here or there that I like but nothing worth the price tag.

I don't know what my deal is. Have I gotten pickier? Cheaper? Lost my shopping zest? I just don't know. But here's the kicker, I can buy beauty products, books, and even jewelry but I choke on the clothing items.

I dunno, I'm baffled.

Have you ever had a shopping drought? More importantly, how did you end it?

What have you bought lately...let me live vicariously through you!

What I Wore: I Got The Blues

Blouse: Michael Kors from Nordstrom

Pants: J.Crew-I bought these puppies a year or so ago. I never wore them because I wasn't totally crazy about their length (and they were super tight and made me feel like a sausage). Well I was cleaning out my closet and I was tempted to throw these out. I tried them on once more and they fit much better thanks to my new way of eating. But the length still irked me. So I actually took them to get altered like they tell you to do in those makeover shows. So now I have a new pair of capri pants!

Shoes: Roulette by Carlos Santana

Nails: OPI, "Dating A Royal"

My Weekend In Pictures

This weekend I:

Spent some time with my love.

Spent a night out with my besties

Played in my garden.

Bought Frank a new toy

Got a professional manicure and pedicure for a change.

What did you do?