a day of love.

happy valentine's day. 

i love him because:

1. he is my best friend. 

there's no one i'd rather share life's adventures with, than him. 

2. he is completely selfless, loyal and honest.

3. he's patient above measure.  

4. jealousy doesn't exist in his world; he's confident in who he is.

5. he's loves with the upmost sincerity.

6. he tells me i am beautiful. often. 

7. his testimony is solid, important to him and a part of his every day life.

8. he laughs often whether with me or at me.

his laugh is contagious and always lifts my spirits. 

9. he loves gelato, speaks another language, wears socks to bed,

tends to spoil me rotten, is a hard working student, lover of the stock market,

wears bowties, could live off vegetables, sings in the shower {heart melter, i tell you},

is a proud dog parent, drinks tea daily and is my number one fan at the ballet.

10. he is a dreamer, a go-getter and has high expectations.

he wants the most out of life, marriage, love and the future.

what more can i ask for?

i am totally smitten, completely in love and extremely lucky.

i am hoping you all have a lovely valentine's day.

hugs, kisses, roses, romantic dinner dates, cuddles, hearts, dessert...

i hope it's full of all those things and more. 

today is a day for love-

so, share your heart with someone-

but, also let yourself surrender to being loved by someone.

they are both equally important. 

as a side note, 

here are a few things i am totally loving today:

this love story- it will melt your heart.  

the things i wrote in last year's valentine's post. 

this andy warhol piece of art. 

need a yummy sugar cookie recipe? click here.

wanting this comfy top; love the big heart. 

xoxo

every day is valentine's.

i might argue that every day is  

 {nearly} valentine's day around here.

i am not the biggest fan of valentine's day-

i never have been. 

{i think i get it from my mother. could it possibly be a genetic dislike?} 

sure, i'm all into the mushy-gushy love thing.

a romantic candle lit dinner for two,

a dosen roses {as long as they aren't red.} and

you know me- i'd watch a romantic chick flick any given second.

however, i consider myself beyond spoiled 

because lovebird is almost as big as a hopeless romantic as i am.

he's far better at expressing his love in a mushy- gushy way;

in fact, he's so good at it- i often wonder if he writes it down and memorizes

the brilliant combination to his romantic wording
 before he says it to effortlessly to me in the moment.

when it comes to dinner for two?  that's a usual thing for us.
which, could possibly be a perk of living away from home.

we are "alone", as some people might say-

but, i'd say it's the other way around,
because i've never felt more comforted and secure than i do now.

onto the flowers...
he know's the way to my heart is an unexpected bouquet of flowers.

he's mastered the art of the unexpected; 

meaning he's good friends with the local florist. 

surprisingly, lovebird likes a good chick flick.

of course, he prefers the manly shows that are jam packed with tons of action.

{he would kill me if he knew i was revealing his secret weakness.} 

where most women have to pull teeth to get their lover to watch 

scenes of kissing, flirting and a chain of dramatic events-

lovebird willing plops down on the couch beside me and presses play.

in my books, that's what a real man is. 

since, it feels like valentine's day around here almost every day,

{just minus the title of the holiday on the correct day of the year}

i really don't have reason to anticipate the actually holiday.

in fact, this year- i will be in the theater at a dress rehearsal until 11:00 at night.

now, we are talking romantic, right? ;)

over the years, this holiday has evolved into something else.

the day itself serves as a day of remembrance for me.

her spirit lives on in my heart.

the same heart i now share with lovebird.

thank goodness the actual day is meant for an exaggeration for love-

because, a big heart full of love is the one thing i do enjoy about this holiday.

that, and also the giggle i get every time i think of her
dancing around in heaven, laughing a good laugh, 

over the fact that i ended up with her all time crush.

so, cheers to lovebird spoiling me 365 days of the year,

valentine's day being a reason to remember and love harder

and to a best friend who will always mean the world to me,

no matter how far away heaven may seem. 

xoxo 

long winter's nap

the holidays are for lounging, resting and relaxing right?

that's what mowgli seems to think.

but, we don't mind one bit, because our exhausted school brains

and sore ballet muscles are accepting every ounce of rest they can get. 

mowgli met so many people at lovebird's family's christmas party-

it took the energy right out of him.

he managed to crash right in front of the christmas tree, 

not minding the big red bow we tied on him.

he was in for a long winter's nap.

it's a tuff life, when you are the center of attention-

having everyone awing over your cuteness,

petting you at every chance and playing with you endlessly.

he is certinaly spoiled.

i'm not sure lovebird and i can give him nearly as much love, 

 as all of his adoring fans, friends and family are giving him, 

when we go back home.

a few things are for certain:

we love mowgli, christmastime and long winter naps. 

oh, and mowgli has decided this is his favorite time of year too-

he can't seem to get enough of the snow.

in between his naps, he joyfully pounces in the snow.

it's like pulling teeth to get him to come back inside. 

obviously, we are all completely satisfied with how this christmas break is going.

hope you enjoy your last day of 2012!

see you in the new year!

xoxo

a vacation to the land of sweets.

.....and this is why i've been on a forced vacation from the blog.

nutcracker season devours every minute of every day.

it's over now; which is always bittersweet.

bitter: because as much work as it is, it is so fun to dance, perform,

and spend loads of time with dear friends cooped up in one small dressing room.

sweet: nutcracker being over, means going home {utah} for christmas,

time with family and friends, and time to relax my sore, sore muscles. 

so, now i'm here today, enjoying time off in the company of loved ones.

what could be better? nothing. 

i hope to be more on top of posting, 

however, now i'm really on vacation- so i can't make any promises. 

i hope you all had a lovely christmas.

we sure did.

this time of year is seriously splendid. 

{photo credit: milano photography}

all you need is love.

merry christmas from us to you.

{and from mowgli too, of course.}

food coma.

obviously, i'm still in a food coma-

hence, the lack of blog posts this weekend.

that, and i was a little preoccupied by black friday

and getting our little home all decorated christmas.

thanksgiving was a success;

in fact, it goes down as 

our first thanksgiving- just the two of us.

aka: me behind the stove. scary, i know. 

lots of trust on lovebird's behalf. 

he claims it was the best thanksgiving feast he's partaken in-

we all know he's lying- but, it's his big heart that wins me over every time. 

i'm beyond thankful for him, that's for certain. 

 i suppose i'm thankful for his little white lies too-

anything to boost my lack of gourmet cooking skills. 

when i say black friday shopping,

i literally mean to one place:

the pet store.

pathetic? entirely.

new proud pet parents? exactly.

ashamed? not in the slightest. 

i'm not the biggest fan of black friday shopping;

i have never been one to spend my sleeping hours shopping instead.

i'm all for a good deal-

but, ginormous lines, body to body shopping and pure exhaustion,

 just aren't my cup of tea.

my hat is off to those of you who endure the craziness of it all! 

'tis the season.... to decorate. 

over here, due to nutcracker and finals- 

our home must be decorated on thanksgiving weekend 

or else it would never get done. 

so, amongst enjoying our last chunk of free time before christmas day,

we decided to pull out a little christmas cheer and scatter it about our home. 

all of course, while blasting christmas tunes and having 

at least three pine scented candles going at all time.

{i'm slightly obsessed with the scent and secretly wish it was available year round.}

i'm hoping your thanksgiving was delicious

and your weekend was eventful.

turkey day is already over, and christmas is just around the corner.

i plan on enjoying every day in between, because i simply love this time of year. 

cheers to food comas, decorating and time off.

xoxo

cya later.... alligator.

see you later, alligator.

in a while crocodile. 

okay, just for a little bit; as in only today. 

i've got to study my brains out for an exam tomorrow.

then at by 11 o'clock tomorrow morning- 

i'll be as free as a bird.

the thanksgiving holiday will begin it's celebration.

{well sort of- i still have rehearsal until 8. boo!}

utter excitment for a turkey feast,

four days off of dance,

not having to go to school, 

black friday shopping,

and spending loads of time with lovebird 

is a complete understatement.

first, i've got to get through this test.

so... see you later alligator.

in a while crocodile.

diy nail art above?

it's called being a cheater, and buying sally hansen nail stickers.

so worth every penny- especially, when you find them on clearance.  

{i think the crocodile i used above may be discontinued- but they are all fabulous!}

let the crafting begin!

yes, i do realize it's only the beginning of november-

but, if i don't start christmas crafting now, 

i'll run out of time to get my house decor in order for december.

{which by the way, is right around the corner. can you believe it?}
so, here are three "to do" crafts on my list this holiday season:

first up on the list?

this little diy.
so simple, modern, inexpensive and festive right?
next up on the list?
this antrho inspired craft.
i've seen these for sell in several stores around town- 
but, how much more fun will it be to make them instead of buy them?
they are a bit trendy, but reasonably so- they're adorable!
last but not least?

this pinecone garland.
simply gather pinecones and dip in paint. that's it!
i may add a little glitter to mine- to give them a little bit of holiday cheer.

well, there you have it;
the first few holiday crafts on my list this year.
do you have any on your list already?
or am i the only weirdo who is anticipating christmas a little too much?

happy monday. 
start composing a craft list and share it with me-
i'd love to add to mine, because it's not like i have too many already. ;)
xoxo

halloween.

{picture source via}

happy halloween.

{"boo! did i scare you?"}

i hope your halloween is filled with

candy, costumes, trick-or-treaters, pumpkins,

a big bowl of chili, ghosts, spooky stories,

jack-o-lanterns and anything dipped or covered in carmel.

i love this holiday- a little too much.

{my mother must of rubbed off on me- she's obsessed.}

not necessarily the crazy costumes, makeup and dressing up part of this holiday-

but rather, the spooky crisp air, kids in their costumes,

extra candy laying around the house, home decor, and anything pumpkin-y. 

due to my life as a ballerina, my halloween night will be spent rehearsing the nutcracker.

kind of contradicting, wouldn't you say?

so, i'm counting on you to live up one of my favorite holidays for me;

eat extra candy, knock on extra doors, jump out and scare someone,

help yourself to that second helping of chili {and cornbread},

and carve an extra pumpkin just for me. 

{thank you!}

have a spooktacular day. 

xoxo

{picture source via}

santa cruz.

labor day in ten:

1. let's go to... santa cruz.

2. our partners in crime: the tibbs, plus baby graham. 

{only the cutest baby ever, and has been from day one}

3. we took a nice long stroll on the boardwalk;

which, consisted of roller coasters, people watching and the

scrumptious scent of cotton candy on a hot summer day. 

4. a tiny, but lovely scenic drive on "west cliff" road.

{do you want a beach house on a cliff as much as i do?}

5. classic stop for ice cream at the town's most popular stop.

6. side trip to capitola;. a darling, quaint little shopping area.

{take me back soon, please!}

7. back in the car for more driving, tired baby cries, and labor day traffic.

8. can't have a holiday without delicious food, right?

our holiday consisted of a gourmet lunch and a 'pit stop' at five guys and fries.  

9. lots of laughter due to talk of nose jobs, comparison in burger joints 

and the argument over the state of always wanting something.

10. all that diet coke didn't affect the exhaustion from the fun day;

back home we went and jumped right into bed.

cheers to awesome friends, holidays that fall on a monday
 and the beach, of course.

how was your holiday? 

greetings in september.

goodbye august. hello september.

goodbye summer. hello school. 

goodbye novels. hello textbooks.

goodbye free days. hello homework.

goodbye to the trendy mint green. hello to fall's {much anticipated} hunter green.

goodbye to shopping. hello to saving.

{per lovebird's request. ops!}

goodbye to summery pinks and corals. hello to opi's germany collection.

goodbye to wearing white. hello to the labor day rule.

{i am a strict follower of this rule.}

goodbye too hot temperatures. hello to a tiny taste of fall's breeze.

goodbye rehearsals. hello performances.

{come see our free show in the park on thursday the 13th!}

goodbye to learning about skulls. hello to learning about music.

goodbye summer snacking. hello attempting to eat healthy. 

goodbye to our 2nd anniversary. hello to my parents big 40!

{congratulations you two! so inspiring.}

goodbye summer adventures. hello structured schedule. 

goodbye summer bbq's. hello crockpot. 

goodbye to summer clothing. hello to a crazy anticipation for fall clothing. 

goodbye traveling. hello to staying put at home.

{actually quite excited about this.}

goodbye to missing crew. hello to missing him even more.

goodbye bad habits. hello to fall's fresh start. 

goodbye pretty looking feet. hello pointe shoes. 

goodbye roots. hello hair appointment.

{anyone have a hair lady they absolutely LOVE in the bay area?}

goodbye to spending lots of time with lovebird. hello to missing that like crazy.

goodbye watermelon season. hello to craving you all fall. 

{you've been a real treat this year. we've enjoyed you a little too much}

goodbye sleeping with just the sheets. hello to covers, blankets and snuggles.

 goodbye august. hello september. 

happy labor day to you!

enjoy your day- hope it is full of all things fun.

holidays are simply the best.

*please link up if you do your own "goodbye-hello".

and don't forget to email me if you want to exchange buttons!!!  

officially over.

being home from italy for less than a week,

life already has picked us up in it's whirlwind of business.
you know that saying, "vacation is over"?
that's truer than true.
the minute you step off the plane from your vacation,
no matter how long or short it may have been, it's back to "real" life.
however, our real life has still felt like vacation...
considering we didn't exactly go straight home; we spent a few days in utah.
 also, a big thanks to holidays, family time, baseball games,
eating out, friends, treats and sleepovers
for helping drag out our vacation as long as possible.

{instagram: eleasejane}

1. jet lag requires early morning starbucks runs.

2. & 3. red, white and blue for the fourth of july. 

4. the gorgeous mountains in utah, which we miss dearly.

5. great harvest and einstein's = carb heaven, as well as my heaven.

6. currently in the market for a little putt putt.

7.  cutest little kids on the block.

8. pedicure, for both of us, was mandatory after walking the streets of italy.

9. nothing better than coming home to california's well earned rep for fresh produce.

10. lovebird being our family's 'grill master' on our new grill.

11. finally got around to changing my last name on my license. 

{never too late, right? ... two years later. ops!}

12. spending time catching up and writing my awesome brother. 

that's a wrap: a wrap to the close of our vacation.

vacation is officially over.

we are home safe and sound and surprisingly ready for "real" life again.

xoxo.

"pac heights and epi shots."

little road trip into san francisco.

golden gate bridge. {75th anniversary}

"mamma rich bucks".

six flags. too much fun.

trying on ugly shoes. 

best friends forever. 

silhouettes on a poolday.

lovebird being awfully handsome at blue barn.

laying out {more like relaxing}.

memorial day weekend has been an absolute blast.

but, that's expected when your favorite friends come into town.

we had too much fun together, and were so sad to

have to say goodbye to them today.

{we are still trying to convince them to move closer}

i can't count the seconds we spent laughing this trip.

so many inside jokes and memories were made.

life is about friends, laughter, holidays, excuses to shop, poolside relaxing,

frozen yogurt, roller coasters, food, deep conversations, bbq's, hot tubbing,

marriage, big cities, road trips and time spent in the company of those you love.

or at least that was what this weekend was all about. 

happy memorial day!

xoxo

you can't pinch me.

happy st. patrick's day!

{yesterday}

we were too busy acting like the irish, i didn't get around to posting.

we had a crazy, lovely and busy day yesterday.

lovebird spent most of the day at work.

i spent the day rehearsing and performing at an "old folks" home.

{what a treat that was. if you know me, you know that old people have a special place in my heart.}

we raced to a little dinner with our dear friends,

and ate the most delicious st. patrick's day pizza.

corn beef, prosciutto, pepperoncinis, red onions.

all on top of a flat bread crust and a mustard brie sauce.  

yum- my mouth is watering just thinking about it again. 

we then had a little dessert run to yogurt mill, of course.

and headed back to our place to finish the night with a good old heart to heart.

it was a fun night with friends. 

joel and i may have had a few st. patty's day kisses,

talked like we were irish and stayed up way too long giggling.

we had a lovely st. patty's day.

i've always loved this holiday. 

hope yours was just as lucky as ours. 

xo

pictures:

1. the little leprechaun brought me an adorable pair of shoes.

2. he also left gold coins, of course.

3. our cute friends. {at concetta- our favorite restaurant.}

4. leapord shoes and green nail polish. 

5. our little mantel decorated for this fun holiday.

{little} love notes.

little {love notes} to the things that remind me of valentine's day:

dear cupid: i have a gut feeling your middle name is fate. i love what you stand for and what you do for people. fate is a propelling force in keeping the world in constant motion. fate is real. fate is evident. and fate is magical.

dear red roses and chocolate: you're expected and somewhat cliche. i'd actually prefer white ones. but, if you're asking, i'd really prefer pink tulips all together on that special day in february. the only time i enjoy a bouquet of red ones, is on stage after a performance. they remind me of ballerinas and all things serious; like a funeral or a gesture of sympathy. as for the chocolates? lovebird knows me too well. chocolate is my weakness. i have it almost daily. so on valentines, i'd prefer a hand written love note, a bouquet of tulips and a night full of kisses instead of the expected.

dear date night: i can't wait to see what lovebird surprises me with. will he take me to our favorite restaurant? or will he take me somewhere new? i can't wait to escape the typical tuesday night by enjoying a candle lit dinner while chitchatting about why we are crazy about one another. 

dear unfortunate events:february 14th in years past hasn't been full of hearts, kisses, love, cupid, romance and joy. in fact, i've experienced some ruff times on this special day of love. just a few examples: my grandma passed away late in the night february 13th when i was just eight years old. my mom didn't have the heart to tell me until the next day. my best friend also passed away on valentine's day my sophomore year in high school. i broke up with my first serious boyfriend on v-day, which also happened to be his birthday. i only bring these events up, because they have shaped me into the person i am today. valentine's has had different meanings in the past- and will continue to remain important in years to come. i am thankful for this special day of love, because it means much more to me now and is a yearly reminder of how important loving those around you truly is. 

dear red: you are my favorite color as of late. i could wear red lipstick and red shoes every day and never grow old of you. i am happy you are the chosen color to represent love. this just gives me a special excuse to indulge and deck myself out from head to toe with you. 

dear lovebird:be mine? oh- won't you please be my valentine? {обичам те повече отколкото птиците в небето} i love you more than all the birds in the sky. you're the reason i now love this holiday. being married to you is ultimate bliss. i can't imagine life without you. i love you in the morning all scruffy and sexy. i love you in the afternoon all geeky and energetic. i love you in the evening all tired and handsome. i love you every minute of every day. i'm thankful that cupid found us three years ago. i feel like we were a match made in heaven. 

dear sugar cookies: you are my favorite sugary treat on this beloved day. you know... the homemade, buttery, crumble-in-your mouth, cream cheese frosting, heart shaped ones. we all know you are to die for and simply irresistible. i'm thinking about trying this new recipe this year. you should too!

dear february: you're a special little month. quite literally. you have the least amount of days, and of those days the world is under your spell of love. we are guilty as charged: you're the month we said i love you to one another for the very first time. how romantic.

happy valentine's day to all the lover's in the world.

xoxo.

p.s. i'm featured over here on this cute blog! 

{spread your valentine love by visiting her blog!} 

cheers to a new year!

{last pictures taken of us in 2011.}

i am not the biggest fan of new years eve.

you can call me scrooge. i don't mind.

the two best things about the holiday are:

1. wearing all things that glitter and sparkle.

2. eating delicious food.

don't get me wrong...

 the countdown to midnight, the kiss triggered by the strike of a clock,

 the fireworks and the lovely friends and family 

we find celebrating with are oh so great. 

but..... there is something that just doesn't click for me.

i sometimes think ordering in chinese food, snuggling on the couch

while just the two of us countdown and ring in the new year would 

make me fall in love with the holiday.

that being said, we did have a fun time last night.

it was spent with family up in park city and midway.

we ate lots of yummy {and expensive} food.

we laughed until we were blue in the face.

we cheered on the utes in the bowl game.

we raced down to celebrate midnight with dear friends.

and we came home to fall asleep talking about things in 2012.

two.thousand.and.twelve.

it's here already. 

we've quickly said goodbye to 2011.

funny how that happens.

it was a year full of all good things.

{staring school for me. new job for lovebird. house guest for a month. trips home to utah. friends tied the knot. more friends engaged. contract with cwb. holidays. visits from family. our one year anniversary. romantic getaway to monterey. got a piano. moved apartments. straight a's. lovebird's quarter of a century birthday. made new, and now close, friends. lovebird tore his cal and got surgery. crew going through the temple; crew getting his mission call. many day trips to our city: san francisco. new church callings. and the list goes on.}

we fell in love all over again in 2011.

and plan on doing just that in 2012.

365 days: so much to do, see, explore and feel.

we are anxiously awaiting everything that comes our way

whether by choice or by fate. 

happy 2012.

cheers to the new year! 

just a glimpse

pictures to words:

1. christmas tree at home.

2. brothers: corey and crew.

3. midge. just about to open her new iPad.

4. traveling home in red tights and red shoes.

5. midge gave a gift to whomever could promise the first grandchild. 

{we didn't necessarily promise. we are just the most likely to. ha}

6. daddy happy as a clam. 

7. brothers: bret and joel.

8. plane ticket on christmas morning.

9. lots of diet coke this trip. yum.

10. showing off the new ray bans.

11. lovebird being as cute as ever.

12. brown paper packages tied up with string tool.

{christmas tree at our "real" home.}

santa claus

santa was a genius this year.

he was efficient, thoughtful, creative and generous.

his little idea was awfully awesome:

"something you want."

"something you need."

"something to wear."

 "something to read."

want: vintage rayband sunglasses.

{can't go wrong with a pair of sunglasses}

need: new scriptures.

 {bigger size upon request. and with my married name}

wear: a few items i've had my eyes on.

{leggings and colored jeans}

read: to kill a mocking bird. 

{50th anniversary this year}

it has been a lovely christmas here in utah.

we have been busily visiting family and places in our "old" city.

i'm sorry for the hiatus in blog posting.

i guess that's what happens when you are distracted by family and friends. 

we are here for a few more days,

so i'm not making any promises on posting until i get back to california.

i will do my best.

i hope you all had a magical christmas.

xoxo

playing catchup.

is it weird that i feel guilty when i don't post something for a couple of days?

i wish neglecting the blog wasn't a result of life being so busy.

however, being busy for the holidays is something i truly love.

the hustle and the bustle of it all.

running here and there. wrapping this and that. going from party to party.

this weekend {and now week} has been crazy busy.

we spent a beautiful day in san francisco eating seafood, walking, shopping 

and exploring the crazy city with my family.

last night we hosted a little christmas party for my friends from my ballet company.

we did a little {white elephant} gift exchange.

we ate homemade lasagna and yummy goodies all while playing apples to apples.

and lastly, we visited one of our favorite families who just had baby #4.

we are so happy for them. congrats tui's! 

due to the"big event", we lucked out and got to babysit the three other kiddos.

who we try to steal and call them our own.

{i'll post pictures soon amongst getting approval}

after all the business that the holidays bring in,

lovebird and i find ourself cozying up next to our christmas tree and a fire...

sitting for more than five minutes on the couch. it's a miracle, i tell you. 

a few little things:

things from this week include:

1. wearing cozy sweaters to study for finals in.

why not be comfy when you are stressing out? 

2. mailing out our christmas cards.

yes, we did send one to the president of the united states.

why not? everyone can use some holiday cheer.

3. a day off {monday} included a lunch date to greens with lovebird.

greens: an organic market with delicious food and treats, of course.

4. flowers from my nutcracker performances.

my house smells delicious and they make me smile as i'm reminded of how much i love to dance.

those are just a few of my favorite things right now.

hope you are all having lovely weeks.

i'd love to hear your favorites from the week.

xoxo