new loves: berkeley & francisco

i'm so excited to introduce you to my new loves, berkeley and francisco (berk and frank). they are australian shepherd puppies and the cutest thing ever. jesse's family has 2 australian shepherds and we'd been asking if they would breed the female, gracie for awhile. it all worked out and about 7 weeks ago they arrived. we only intended on keeping one, but soon realized that 2 would be so much better.

we brought them home last friday. our hands are full, but we are so happy with our new pups.

francisco is a boy & the black one, berkeley is a girl & the brown one

girl crush

I'm a little embarrassed to admit how long it's been since I wrote last. But, in my defense I've been a bit under the weather and quite busy with wedding planning.

Moving on...

I have the most adorable artist to share with you. Kelli Murray is the head designer at Jedidiah clothing company and also an amazing painter and illustrator (not to mention she has great style). I stumbled on her wedding a few days ago while browsing Green Wedding Shoes. If her wedding isn't enough to awe you, her artwork certainly will. I think the prints would make great gifts!

double finger

i want a double finger ring real bad. this beauty will do just fine.

(via catbird nyc)

do-it-yourself fun

I remember years ago when I lived with my sister we would always be finding ways to create something that we saw in a store or magazine for our little apartment. I specifically remember making curtains, wall decorations and jewelry. Not everything turned out the best, but we had a great time and probably saved a penny or two as well.

These days I'm often scouring blogs for new projects and ideas. More often than not I will see something, shriek with excitement and quickly run to Jesse and ask if he could make it. So, I guess I'm not always the one DIY-ing, but I always do my best to help. :) And, I'd much rather have something handmade from my man than store bought any day.

I've got quite the list of DIY projects I'd like to try. Here are some we've completed and some I have yet to start.

Jesse made this adorable box table that sits perfectly just inside our front door. It is inspired by this old door box table.

No explanation needed. These friendship bracelet inspired necklaces are amazing.

Statement sign complete. My favorite thing in our house. Inspired by this project.

A fabric headboard.

Dear Max Wanger

You're photos are beautiful.

I want beautiful photos.

Wanna visit Oregon?

(image 1 via, all others via)

Location Found!

Here's a little sneak peak at our wedding location! It's a private property that is just perfect with an old barn, small creek and beautiful open lawn.

(photos via my iPhone)

I had no idea Wrangler was so sexy. These looks are most definitely more California beach sexy than country and I love 'em!

(images spotted here)

the proposal

I'm so excited to share with you the details from our engagement...

Monday night Jesse and I were sitting in our living room, working on his website and chatting. When I was finished working online I put my computer down and Jesse said he made me something. One by one, he handed me these photobooth photo strips:

When he gave me the first one, I wasn't too surprised as he's done sweet things like that before. But, they kept coming and I think I sort of forgot to read them and just kept taking the next one cause I realized what was happening! It was such a perfect moment, no distractions, just the two of us.

My ring is beautiful and I am most definitely the luckiest girl.

Engaged!

We're engaged! I'm so happy, excited and almost can't believe it. More soon...

from a beach trip in 2007

Sticks & Stones

This fall I'm on the lookout for some new and fun accessories too add to my wardrobe. These rings from Sticks & Stones Accessories are perfect.

(images all via S&S)

air plants

Air plants are these adorable little plants that absorb what they need from the air and their leaves, not through their roots. They are relatively small and can be displayed in lots of fun ways. I received a couple for my birthday and I'm still trying to decide whether I should hang them, make a terrarium, or just keep it simple with the little jars they came in.

Here are some ideas that I love...

(image 1, image 2, image 3)

An Award & 7 Things

Sara at A Trice of Life was kind enough to share the Versatile Blogger award with me! How fun!

So the deal is I share 7 things about myself and then pass the award on.

1. I am the proudest auntie to the cutest little baby boy, Jack.
2. I'm a cancer survivor.
3. I get stir crazy if I live in one place for too long. I'm working on this.
4. I love and am fascinated with the ocean, but also terrified by it.
5. I dream of owning my own little shop someday.
6. I'm good at sudoku. Like, really good.
7. I really want to be on the show, Amazing Race. My boy and I would dominate.

I'd like to pass this on to:

Jenae at Jenae Held

Kim at KBockmann

Cassy at Peace & Posies

Danielle at Ginger Rose

Shawna at Through the Eyes of Shawna

ps. it's my birthday, so i'm off to a fun-filled weekend! :)

Honeymoon dreaming...

I'm not even engaged, but I can't help but dream a little with all the amazing getaways featured on Grey Likes Weddings. My two favorites are Hotel Hana on Maui and Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound and Napa doesn't look too bad either. :)

(images via)

The Uniform Project

In 2009, Sheena Matheiken started the Uniform Project, pledging to wear one little black dress for 365 days as an exercise in sustainability and a fundraiser to support the Akanksha Foundation – a non-profit organization providing education to children living in Indian slums. And for the next year, Sheena reinvented her uniform solely using accessories that were either vintage, handmade, reused or donated.

What a great idea and a fun way to help others!

Frye me

Love this video for Frye on their Fall 2010 Collection. I'll take one of each, please! ;) Also, I've never been to Joshua Tree, but it looks gorgeous and I hear there is good rock climbing!

oregon love

we had a fabulous time in central oregon and i say this every time i am there, but really i would be so happy to live there. with a view like this, how could anyone say no?

adorable.

i just love this photobooth engagement! cute, simple and such a fun way to capture the moment.

(spotted at oh happy day)

Leah Duncan Giveaway

Some of you (like me) may have just learned about Leah Duncan from this post on Coco + Kelly and fallen in love (like me), with her amazing fabrics. I just love the pillow covers. And, they're perfect for the color scheme we've chosen for our place! The Ardent Sparrow is hosting a Leah Duncan giveaway this week so get after it. I know you'll find something you love!

Weekend Getaway 7.30

Friday night we headed out to camp with Jesse's family. We had a blast hanging by the campfire, playing games and swimming. It's always nice to get out of town and relax for a few days.

*Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances the boat was out of order, so I did not get to wakeboard. Hopefully soon!

Progress

I just looked back at my summer to do list and realized that I've got some work to do, but also excited to get some projects started. Here's a quick update on my progress.

(via)

I did go to a hot springs, but wasn't able to take photos since it was in the middle of the night. I highly recommend you going to one if you have not been before.

We're planning to make our decorative pillows soon. We have the fabric and the inner pillows, so we just need to take a few hours to finish that project. Surprisingly, I have no idea how to sew, but Jesse does so we're in luck! :)

This weekend we're going camping at a lake and I am determined to go wakeboarding so I can cross that off my list.

I'm loving having a little list of goals. I need to do this more often!