Yes I have been M.I.A. lately. Been super busy here at home catching up on household work, enjoying some much needed family time and getting the shop back in order. Can't believe it is almost April! Where has this month gone? I haven't forget about all of you,..just had other things on my mind. But hopefully things will settle down and I will post more.
I thought it would be fun to show you all some of my photos from our latest adventure in Ireland! Yes,..that is right, we went to Ireland! It was a last minute decision to just pack and go! (literally within a week) Let me tell you, it was so worth it! 14 glorious days touring the Emerald Isle and dreaming of what it would be like to live near castles and green rolling hills. It was a dream. Here is a wee bit of what we experienced,.....
It's been a very mild winter thus far (at least in my neck of the woods)...but with all the snow, and now the slush,..uggh! It makes me dream of warmer, sunny places. It's time for a vacation! So today I was dreaming over on Pinterest (surprise, surprise) of all the many places I would love to go. Here is a little traveling inspiration,....
Paris has been on my mind as I work on a few new "french fabric" aprons for TrendyMeg! I am excited to show you sometime later this week the results. Something about Paris just screams fashion, tradition, elegance, romance and honestly makes me want to kiss someone. Such an inspirational city.
I have been thinking a lot lately about traveling. Maybe because right now in our lives it has to be put on hold. Doesn't mean that it will never happen, just put on the back burner. Tom and I have been talking about taking a trip to France in a year or so. I have been once, but it was only for a day (in between my other Europe adventures). I would really like to hear Tom speak (ie. sharpen his skills)French! Paris in the summer would be lovely. To my surprise I stumbled upon this amazing giveaway! Over at "Oh Happy Day" blog they are giving away a dream trip to Paris! Beyond Amazing! If only I can win ::crossing fingers:: You can enter too,..just head on over to this link: PARIS
So we are back! We had an amazing time in Texas. We ventured from Dallas, to Austin to San Antonio. We stopped in some amazing little places and saw some amazing things. Of course I took loads of photos, and will eventually share some of them. (I have many exciting things to share!) But ever since we have arrived back home, I can't stay away from the Royal watching. My husband thought I was a bit nuts when I decided to make a video sharing why I loved the Royal family to enter into a "Fly to London for the Wedding" contest via the TODAY show. He rolls his eyes whenever I want to buy yet another newspaper or magazine article....he even laughed at me when I bought a tea cup (that was flawed and even more collectible than the normal tea cups) from London and how giddy I was to open it up and put it inside my china cabinet to admire. But at the end of the day,..he can appreciate my love for the Royals (I think). I found out last year that somewhere in his family line, he is related to the Spencer family,..which then makes him related to the late Princess Diana! I married him,...so that practically makes me related to the royals right? (In a round about way) So sad that the mailman lost my wedding invite. Tragic, just tragic. :(
I am getting excited about the BIG DAY! The day that Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton. The day when the whole world will be glued to their TV sets to see history in the making. Yes,...I will be up at 3am watching. Who knows, I may even wear a hat!
Cheers to the happy couple!
This photo was taken a few summers ago when Tom and I took a trip (along with some friends) to the UK. Tom and I went for a tour of the church next to Westminster Abbey and met a very lovely man who gave us a private tour of the church, and took us up to a secret "private" balcony to take photos of the Abbey. This is one of my favorite shots! What a beautiful place to get married.
I am heading out to yet another adventure with my dear husband and little Liam. I am hoping to capture it all {on my camera} as we drive through the lovely state of Texas once again. We hope to spend some quality time just being together. Something that we don't get to do all that much of these days, due to Tom's work schedule. I will be taking a bit of a break this week (although I may peek in to say hello)from blogging,...but don't worry, I hope to come back and be even more refreshed and excited to share with you. :) If I come back with a southern draw, don't say you weren't warned! Maybe I will start wearing cowgirl boots!! You never know! ::Shrug:: Until then, xx
It is no secret, Valentine's Day is my most favorite holiday! There is something to say about sweet red hearts, romance and chocolate. Ooo it's just lovely. There is nothing that screams romance than Paris! I have had the privilege of visiting this city of love a few years ago, and let me say, there is something in the air. The food, music, fashion and people are all so glamourous. At this point of my life travel isn't high on the priority list, although I am looking forward to the day that I can pack a suitcase and head to Europe again. Until then, I will have to go there virtually. Wouldn't a date in Paris France be a dream? Come along with me.....
So,... I am a BIG fan of Burberry! I mean "BIG". Yes, I was the one who drug my husband to the Burberry Outlet in London for a few hours of luxurious shopping. (It was a hard place to find, and with all the tube changes, it took us around 2 hours?)
We did get a tad lost.
Once we finally arrived, he made me buy something,...honest,...ask him! So I picked out a really cute camel colored, burberry tartan lined, fall corduroy jacket. I was so giddy buying it,...I can't even begin to tell you. Of course buyer remorse hit me a few minutes after stepping back onto the train, when I realized how much I had just spent. But it was on sale! It was something I will keep forever! Tom just shook his head and said that I shouldn't regret it, because I deserved it and that it was for my Birthday (which was a few days prior)and when would we be back on London again, anyways. I love him for that! To this day, it's my favorite jacket and I always feel so special wearing it!! It literally goes with anything!(Try not to wear it out too much though, so I can keep it forever!)
So I heard that Burberry was going to be holding an online live feed of their new Prorsum spring/summer 2011 line on Tuesday. I logged in and watched it during my lunch! (They are 5 hours ahead) It was a nice break on a very mundane Tuesday.It was sooo good! I am loving the new embellished jackets, and the large belts. I would totally wear the cute simple dresses and of course the hand bags were to die for. Here is the link from the show,....it's a bit long, but fun watching! (I felt so bad for the girl in the end who fell. The floors were like ice!)
Someday when I become a millionaire (sounds like a song),...I'm dressing head to toe burberry! ;)
Lately it seems as if life has been a whirl wind. All summer we have gone from one thing to another. Traveling, visiting, working, going to weddings, BBQ's, etc. I am not complaining, I had a very fun summer! It just seems as if I blinked and summer is now over! Seriously, where does time go? I love summer, but I am ever so ready for Autumn. Can't wait to get out my jackets, and jeans...to dress more stylish! Have cooler days to take Liam on strolls around the neighborhood. See the colors of changing leaves. Ready to have a schedule and relax a bit more this up coming Autumn. The verse that I have been meditating on is:
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10
I will be reflecting and taking time to just "be still". The photo above is from a beautiful spot near Austin Texas, I was privileged to visit this summer. It was so serene and beautiful. Whenever my life gets stressful, I close my eyes and think of this place and remember the smells, sounds and the "stillness" in the moment.
My dear husband and I just returned from our second tour to the plains of Texas. Between the doctors appointments and new helmet fittings for our little one, we were able to spend some quality time together as a family! It was fun to go out in the Texas sun (but not too much sun) and see some amazing new places. Thankfully we both like traveling around, seeing new things, eating new foods. But in reality, it was just nice to be "together"! I hope to post some amazing photo's that I was able to capture of some special places we visited. ((soon))
Until then, I thought I would share with you a special book. "All About Us" by Philipp Keel. I purchased it a few months ago and it's just been sitting in my bookshelf. I thought it would be fun to bring with us! It is a book you fill out as a couple. It gives you conversation topics and you write in your answers. I warn you though, as some questions are basic, others are personal, and some are VERY thought provoking. There is a disclosure in the front cover that says that the book sometimes brings on arguments, bad feelings of the past, but it's ultimate goal is to bring you closer as a couple and give you an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper level. All in all, it was fun, and brought lots of laughter and "ah ha" moments. A few times we could actually answer FOR the other person. We have been married for six and a half years, and now with a baby at home. This year has been stressful, challenging, tough at times,...but it has also been full of hope, trust in our Heavenly Father, and has brought us even closer together. The book was a great idea! I felt like we came back from a mini marriage retreat. Can't wait until the next get away to fill out some more. I encourage you to get the book and go through it yourself. You will be surprised at what you find out about your husband/wife. It just made me realize how lucky I am to be Mrs. S! :)
Here are some sample questions from the book (How would you answer them?):
Describe an ideal day with your spouse? What is your favorite facial expression of your spouse? What was your favorite moment at your wedding? Who is your hero? What are three of your favorite traits you feel in love with in your spouse? What would you change about your spouse right here and right now? If you found your child's diary, would you read it? Name one thing you dislike about you body? What is your favorite nickname for yourself? Would you say you are a horrible dancer?
Would you tell the truth even if it hurt the other person?
Where do you see your relationship in the next year?
I was cleaning up some photo's on my lap top and came across these photos I took two summers ago in London. Siggghh.....So wish I could visit there soon. But until then, virtual London will have to do.
So it's Friday! I don't know about you, but I am so glad it's the weekend! It's funny that the topic this week is about traveling. I told my mom last night that there are times when I wish I could just pack my bags and go somewhere, far away from all my adult responsibilities. Do you ever have those moments? Then after just saying you would like to run away, you snap back into reality and think,...wow, I need to get a grip. You then take a deep breath, smile and move on. Just shows that even us moms need a break once and awhile to renew ourselves so that we can continue to give to our husband and children. But on a lighter note, I have always been a traveler and can't wait to plan my next big adventure. (still deciding where that will be this summer/fall) Here is one of my favorite pictures I have taken in my travels. This was the view while driving in the hills of Scotland.
My List:
1.) Layering -I am always cold. Airplanes are the worst! (Well except the one time I was flying back from Africa and was stuck on a plan for hours without AC and had a large sweaty man seated next to me!) I like to wear a tee, a button up cardigan sweater and then a jacket with a light weight scarf of some sort. That way I can peel off a lay or two if I am hot, and if I get chilled, put it back on. A cute pair of earrings and a hair band to keep the hair out of my face, and I am set!
2.) Camera & Journal - While traveling I have found that I loose track of time. I have so much fun living in the moment, that I forget what days I have done what. I try to write down a story or two in a little travel journal after each day spent somewhere fun. I also find that when I get home my camera organizes and keeps my time accounted for. It's a way to reflect back after my trip and look at pictures I took, to see what I did on what day and remember all the fun I had. A memory keeper per say! Plus I am also a big scrapbooker (although I haven't had much time for this hobby lately) and it helps me create a keepsake of my time somewhere. If you aren't much interested in scrap booking but want to keep your pictures organized from a trip, there are online sites that you can create a photo book for you. I have used snapfish.com and love their work. The layouts are easy and you can be as creative or simple as you like. It's perfect for a coffee table!! A fun way to show people where you went on vacation, without having the "family slide show" stigma.
3.) Online Research - The Internet is filled with all kinds of travel ideas, discounts and tips. Tom and I have a timeshare in FLA and so we are able to exchange our week to visit other places. RCI has an amazing site that we use to research our next big trip. Plus they have extra vacations you can buy that are super cheap (sometimes less than $200.00 a week for a 5 star resort accomidating a family of 6 or 8 if you're lucky). I am always excited to see what they come out with every month on their sale page. Unfortunately, you have to be a member to use their services. But they do offer a way for you to buy points to use on their site, if you don't own a time share. Another fun thing to do is to research the city you are traveling to before hand. Get an idea about what you would like to see and do. Plan ahead! When we went to London England a few summers ago, they had an awesome tourist site that sold London Passes that you could purchase ahead of time, that saves loads of money when you visit attractions in the city. It saves you time from standing in line to buy tickets, plus VIP treatment to the front of the line for tours. (That alone is worth getting the card!) Other major cities have these passes, but you have to purchase them ahead of time, to get them. If you plan on flying anywhere, I recommend checking out kayak.com Tom and I have found some amazing deals on this site! It filters through all major airlines to find the best price.
4.) Cross the Body Purse- Like this one from Handbags.com I couldn't live without mine. It's the perfect size to hold your passport, wallet, sunglasses, travelers checks etc. But the best part is, you can wear it cross your body, so you have your hands free, and it zips up! No need to worry about someone reaching into your bag while you are not looking to steal your things!
5.) Ask Locals- I have found that some of the best places to go and see were suggested by locals from that city/town. There have been many photo sessions and memories made due to a suggestion from someone that "lives" there. I remember having lunch in this hole in the wall restaurant that would never have been featured in a book, but had the most amazing food. Or the time we got a beautiful picturesque view of the city by going to visit a grave yard! (who would have thought?) I am convinced that you need to stay "with the people" to get the best experience. Tom and I rented a flat for a week in Edinburgh Scotland, right off the main street. We were able to interact with those "from Scotland" and not just a hotel staff member who pointed out the touristy spots. They have these "extended stay flat rentals" everywhere in Europe for very reasonable prices. People who live the summer in different parts of Europe rent their flats out to earn some extra cash. We got a large flat with two bathrooms, a kitchen,(we cooked locally grown/produced food instead of eating out every night) living room and dining area for less than we would staying at a hotel. (Just keep in mind that everything is smaller in Europe) Check it out! Here! We experienced Mexico by staying out in the dessert sleeping on mats. (maybe not something you would want to do for a luxury get away, but it was an adventure to us!) But the point is, experience the culture by immersing yourself in it! Eat what they eat, listen to their music, read about their history and visit with the locals! (If you can) These memories will last forever.
Don't forget to visit the other girl's Blog Along Posts!
