blessed

i am so blessed. today is mother's day so i'm giving thanks for my mother, whose beauty cannot be fully completely captured by my insufficient words. happy mother's day to a single mother who made it her life's mission to give herself to her loved ones -- generously, abundantly, selflessly, gently/tenderly and completely... physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. i have an amazing and most beautiful woman for a mother. (here she is in a photo as a little girl!)

in addition, i'm also giving thanks today (and for the rest of my days) for my handsome, amazing, funny,  servant-hearted fiance. it was my birthday last week and even though we're on a budget (getting married, and all), he planned a tiny celebration for the two of us. in addition to a most delicious dinner (proscuitto-wrapped chicken, stuffed with breadcrumbs, dried cherries and herbs), he got me the loveliest cake and a copy of elizabeth messina's new book!





(these are at our new home by the way... can't show any photos right now because we have barely any furnishings)

weekend

a couple of the birthday snaps from this weekend i posted on my photo blog. super low-key memorial day birthday for T, just how we like it.

more over here .

may days

(herriott grace)

sorry for the hundredth time for being a bad blogger, thank you patient readers! these weeks have been a transition period for me (you probably know now that i have transition periods all the time, so don't be worried). my mind is finally finally getting out of a feeling of muddiness...not helped by fickle california weather.

yesterday was my birthday, and no, i did not have such a fabulous cake as picture above.

this birthday felt so much like a non-birthday, minus the sudden abundance of cake-eating. not that i felt unloved by any means, i was actually thinking yesterday just how very loved and lucky i am. i've just never been big on birthdays (my own), so it really felt like any other day. plus, in this season of life, all my dear friends are far away from me!

but it has been a wonderful week/weekend, full of things that make life all the sweeter.

-- peruvian food at the farmer's market

-- my birthday gift(s) from my love: dinner, a new sewing machine, this fabulous printing by hand book, and flowers sent to my workplace. jealous yet? (i'm looking forward to making this... wish i had an ipad to make a cover for.)

-- engagement session in beautiful santa barbara

-- free ice cream at haggen dazs. yes, i am easily satisfied with free things

-- quiet family dinners

-- new ventures and old ventures made new.

what things make your life sweet?

10 days of chr..birthday!

I can't seem to focus on finishing my paper for finals so I'm taking a study break! Just wanted to share something really sweet that my apartment-mate did for my birthday this year. She planned a "10 days of Connie's birthday" and left sweet little gifts for me each day!

Some of what she gave me: a little mermaid book (my favorite disney movie!), alice in wonderland tea from disneyland, a cute mug from anthropologie, a peach scarf to replace one that i lost, etc.

What's the most thoughtful gift you've ever received for your birthday?

happiest place on earth

So, if you couldn't guess from my vague picture, I went to Disneyland last Saturday!
I swear, I am never too old for Disneyland nor do I grow tired of it.

These are some of the things I love about it:
(I'm missing a picture of the fireworks... I also love those).



(the relaxing music, atmosphere, and cool little design touches/setups.)



(Dole Whip Float. Despite the fact that it's overpriced, it is so awesome. Perfectly tasty and refreshing on a hot day. Too bad I don't know where to get it outside of d-land!)



(Being a child again...with your favorite people :). )

birthday bouquet!

I got a bouquet of my favorite flowers for my birthday (today) yesterday night. They are definitely the most beautiful I have ever received.





here they are, even more beautiful in the morning!




From up top!

I love them. My apartmentmates got them from Carlsbad Flower Fields before they closed for the season. I am blessed.