five.

 I've been dating this hunk of a guy now for FIVE years. And what's more interesting to know is that I've been friends with him for the past nine.  In honor of our awesomeness and my super love for him I'd like to share the following five stories // one from each year we've been together.


 one // when we began our relationship we knew we'd be doing it apart. It wasn't until after this begun that I knew how challenging it would become for us and how many obstacles we'd face. But every time I visited you it felt like we were just where we were supposed to be. Like our relationship was a book and each new visit was just turning the page and seeing what was next. I'll never forget how excited I was every drive I made to your house and how much closer I felt to you every time I traveled back home. 

two // In true Oregon style, the first time we made a trip to the pumpkin patch together it poured rain. But that didn't stop us from getting hot cider, riding on the hay truck, taking goofy photos with our faces in the holes of the scarecrows and picking out a pumpkin! It was during this trip that I saw us doing this together year after year, that I saw your sweet spirit to stay with me and pick out a pumpkin in the pouring rain and that I saw you could have fun no matter what the circumstance. And also.... that I like to close my eyes for pictures.

 

three // The move to California. Through every other challenge we've faced together this one definitely almost broke us. But I stand by the fact that we made the right choice for ourselves and for "us" together and it's brought us to the BEST part of our relationship. We've learned to live together, support each other and take time to have fun together. Packing our bags and leaving home behind and friendships behind wasn't easy but it's brought us to our best selves. 

four // Our first Christmas tree. It's not a secret that the holidays aren't your favorite. But you are the VERY best at making things special for me when you know it's something I love. So we got a tree. And dragged it down the hall, into the house and fought with all those sticky branches to stand it up. Then we had a glass of wine, vacuumed the entire apartment building and got to decorating. You helped me hang a giant box of sparkly, glittering green and red balls on every available branch and then you even let me turn off all the lights and just gaze at it for forever when we finished. That tree will ALWAYS be such a special memory for our Christmases to come. It only had a few small gifts under it but the soft twinkling lights and the warm smell of pine were gift enough. You even loved it. 

 

five // On the same page together. Knowing that you make me laugh, you keep me safe/supported/happy and we want the same awesome moments from life. That I can count on your soft kiss on my head every morning and your sweet smile as you climb into bed each night. That you fight for your happiness, my happiness and OUR happiness and I can trust in you as my partner. That no matter what kind of craziness I get myself into or when I'm doing the ugly cry.... you'll hug me and help me past it. And most importantly that you cook like a god. I love you everyday. And I hope we get to grow old and stinky together. Thank you for being my best friend. xo.

If you want more seriously beautiful posts be sure to follow along with:

 

the best shower of my life

follow me on instagram: @beautifulblendings

As you know.... we recently just found a wonderful new home and this past weekend we got all moved in. As fun as moving can be, I actually have to say that this move went pretty darn well. We had help from my boss at the brewery (and his BIG truck) and although we got up fairly early the whole thing was pretty much over by lunch. We spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing everything. And once a few pieces of new furniture arrive next week.... I think we'll be set.

Can I mention how amazing it is to have new appliances!?! Not only do I have a stove/oven that actually works now (which makes the baker in me and the chef in my fella quite happy) but I also have a freaking washer AND dryer of my very own people! I was actually able to do two loads of laundry the SAME DAY we moved in!
And even more so.... our living room/kitchen is one room (which we thought might be weird) but turns out it's AMAZING because Cole can cook dinner while I fold laundry while we BOTH watch (and yell furiously at) The Voice.
---side note: can anyone else believe Sarah Simmons was kicked off? WHAT!? I totally tweeted her to show my love and she RESPONDED! Oh twitter. 


Also, we have fruit trees in our own yard. Satsumas, guava, avocado, pomegranate and MORE. I get to walk outside, pluck a ripe fruit from a tree.... and DEVOUR it. Nothing could be more satisfying.

EXCEPT....my shower. Oh, my, shower. It's white with a window up top to let in the fresh air and sunshine, and the water pressure is REAL folks. I think my entire cleaning process took about a third the time as my last shower but I wanted to stay in longer because I felt like I was showering in heaven. I'm telling you.... if you knock on my door and ask to use my shower; I may have to charge you. ahhhh. 

I really felt like we were so stressed before and now with this new place..... I understand that having a HOME is really more important than just a place to live.

If you want more seriously beautiful posts be sure to follow along with:

 

{Thrifted Thursdays} Week 12

If you are new to this read about it all here. 

I know many of you are out there thrifting some fabulous clothing, home goods and other fun items so please link them up! If you tweet about something thrifted I will twitter stalk you until you share mkay? :)


This week I want to share with you Trina from "Feed the Birdies". She was wonderful and linked up her thrifted Valentine's last week and I just love it!

Trina's blog is adorable and I just love that she linked up something that was thrifted but also vintage. AND she linked up something for the cute Valentine's holiday.


Did you have a great day? I worked all day but my sweet man made me a fantastic salmon dinner with asparagus {and of course wine} and we had angel food cake with strawberries and whip cream for dessert! Oh and he brought me home the most beautiful flowers. Ah, I love that man.

Words cannot express.

Today has been unreal. Today is why I live. Today has left me with a warm heart and a permanent smile. And while I'm feeling this exuberant joy.... I had to tell about it. So I can always remember why I must work hard.

Today I had coffee, aimless shopping and the BEST conversation with a fellow blogger---Jacqui. Jacqui blogs at BabyBoyBakery and reached out to me to see if I wanted to meet up. I've never met any of my friends from this community "in real life" so although exciting... this was also scary in a way. But we absolutely had the BEST time together. We are so similar and can really relate to each other. This new friendship is something that is so invaluable to me especially if you read this post from awhile back. 

I also found a PERFECT xmas surprise for fella and cannot wait now to give it to him. But sorry, can't share a photo of that just yet. ;)

While purchasing said gift, the cashier told me she loved my headband and asked where I got it. When I told her I made it {best feeling to be able to say that} she asked where she could shop and I got to hand her one of my new cute business cards from Moo.com.

THEN, I came home to check the mail {one of my favorite activities ever} and found that my first published article had arrived!!!

I cannot ever describe to you how it feels to see your writing in print and then to also have someone paying for those words. And other people reading them! It was IS the best feeling. I am accomplished and I CAN do THIS.

And just to top it off I found that my friends at ShopKempt have me featured on their site from this post and I just feel so overwhelmed with appreciation to be considered a "fashionable blogger". If you've never visited their site you MUST. They have the CUTEST clothing at the BEST prices. Love love love THEM.

It's such a beautiful day. I'm going to keep the happiness flowing by getting some new products listed in my shop. Who cares if I don't have a swanky nice camera? That's not what matters.

And you should smile too. Tomorrow I will have a giveaway for you from one of my fabulous sponsors, Poshlocket. You will love it.

such a bad blogger

So apparently I decided to take a little break from my blog. Didn't really intend to be gone for the past week but it sort of happened and I must say I'm ok that it did. I really love blogging but sometimes you realize that your ENTIRE focus is here and not with those around you that you love.

Speaking of that.... We had the most wonderful Thanksgiving. This is our only big weekend off together for who knows how long and so we decided to take full advantage.

Thursday morning we packed up and drove from LA to Vegas to have a wonderful dinner with our family. There were laughs, snuggles, movies and the grand eating of copious amounts of turkey....again and again and again. No joke, we ate it three times in 24 hours. And it was awesome. Also I made a much LOVED dessert and was sworn to add it to the Turkey day tradition and make it year after year. Success! 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Don't worry I'll share the recipe SOON! 

And then last night (Friday) we headed home, got silly in the car of course, and enjoyed sleeping in our own bed.

I cannot even begin to describe all that I am thankful for but mostly let's just say it involves going through a lot of BIG CHANGES and my amazing supportive man. I couldn't be happier to be in this community of bloggers and my life is forever changed by my LOVE of all things handmade. I just LIVE to be a handmade biz owner. 

Thanks to everyone who's been a big support! And if you haven't already.... support #ShopSmallBizSaturday. Find your fav handmade shop and just show them a little love. Just $5 spent really makes a difference and sincerely puts a smile on a person like MY face.