Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Family Photos in Sedona

After Emily Snitzer took some 2-year photos of Henry and our little family, I couldn't resist booking her one more time to capture some of Sedona's beauty in the Fall. I'm kind of obsessed with family photos, but they're not always the easiest thing with Henry being almost two, and always moving and playing. Trying to wrangle him enough to sit down for a shot can be close to impossible but yet again Emily managed to really capture him and us, and I will forever and ever cherish these photos.

Emily is based in Phoenix but will travel anywhere, so if you're interested in booking her for a session, a wedding, an event, whatever, be sure to get in contact with her. She is a truly talented photographer and I can't express enough how blown away we are with her beautiful work.

She still has some spots left in November for her mini-sessions (perfect for holiday cards and family gifts!), so if you're in Arizona or surrounding areas, contact her and treat you and your family to some amazing photographs. Be sure to tell her I sent you, and be sure to send me the link to your photos in her blog once they're up- I would love to see them!

Thank you so much again Emily, you are a magician! If you're interested you can see the rest of the photos here, and thank you to LuLu*s for sending me this adorable sweater- I love it.

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Monday, November 5, 2012

Currently.

Every night I go to sleep thinking there is no way I could love this little boy more than I do. But then I wake up, and my heart has miraculously and wonderfully grown overnight, making room for all the falling in love I'll do again and again (and again).
photo by Emily Snitzer - more to come later this week. Edited with the Afterglow app on my iPhone.
Have you checked it out yet? Loving it!

Watching: I'm currently super into a few shows, the first being Revenge. Another one of those programs I heard a ton about from a million people but never watched for one reason or another. I think most of all it just looked super cheesy- and not like I'm above super cheesy shows (hello Footballers' Wives, hello Make It Or Break It, hello...should I go on?) but this just looked kind of dumb. Well surprise, surprise it's actually really amazing, with good acting and great writing. I'm totally sucked in and have gotten a few of my friends addicted in the past couple of weeks too. I'm also loving Nashville so, so much. It might be my favorite new show this year. Have you seen it yet? It's superb and the music just gets me every time. Plus, you can't go wrong with Connie Britton. And the final show I'm loving (besides Bravo's premiere week this week- YES!) is X Factor. I am loving a few of the contestants- Beatrice Miller, Tate (country singer), and a couple more. I'm so curious to see what happens this week. On a related note, I sometimes forget how silly I sound when I talk about television so seriously, so thank you to you non-television loving people for bearing with me while I go on and on (and on!).

Listening to: lots of country and lots of the Cloud Atlas soundtrack. Do yourself a favor and listen to the last song on the soundtrack- but be warned it might make you cry like it does me! I still need to see the movie, but in the meantime the music is making my day and become my own little soundtrack to blogging. As far as country I've been loving Luke Bryan's Tailgates and Tanlines, and I've been listening to a lot of Dixie Chicks too (much to Hank's disgust, haha). I've also had the new Broadway Calls and The Swellers on heavy rotation. 

Planning: Disneyland! Have any of you gone with a 2-year old? We're planning our first trip with Henry for February or March and I've never been with a little one. I have a lot of research to do, but I'm curious about what rides he'll be able to go on at his age (about 2 1/2), which ones you'd recommend from experience, and any other bits of wisdom you'd like to send our way! I'm sure I'll write a post once it gets closer but any early-planning info would be awesome.

Thinking about: the election today. I have so many thoughts, some of which I really have to stop myself from sharing for fear of offending some of my closest friends. I am voting for Obama for a million reasons, including but not limited to women having rights to their own bodies and equal rights for all. It's hard to verbalize just how disappointed I feel that Romney's stance on so many things could even be accepted by the nation I live in, but I know that everyone has their own viewpoints and is entitled to them. And unfortunately it's close to impossible to even try to change their minds, especially when those beliefs are so deeply rooted in religion. Just as no one could ever convince me that being gay is "wrong," I doubt I could ever convince someone of the opposite. And that upsets me, but I really try and remind myself that as much as I think I am right, they think they are right too. Ugh, it's hard. I accept my friends and their views no matter what though, and I know that it's okay to feel differently about things. But I will say this: I am so, so scared for womankind (and humankind) if Romney is elected. I do not pray but I am crossing my fingers and toes that our President is elected another term to finish what he started (cleaning up).

Looking forward to: this weekend! I'm heading up to Flagstaff for a little college girls reunion. It's been years since we've all been in the same place at the same time, and since no one is getting married, pregnant, or experiencing any of the other huge life events that have been happening on the regular since we last saw each other, we are good to go! Hank was sweet enough to plan a "guys weekend" for himself and Henry, and I'm grateful I'm able to go and spend a couple days with my sorority sisters and girlfriends where it all began.

Reading: I've been a reading machine lately. Currently reading Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin and loving it. I'm also about to finally start Gone Girl, although I'm a little nervous because I've heard it's a little intense! I'll keep you posted. Oh, and how could I forget Goodnight Construction Site? We've been reading that one a million times a night thanks to a little guy by the name of Henry (or Hennison, Henny, Henson, or any of the other million silly nicknames we've given him).

Making me happy: visiting my sis and Abe in their beautiful new home this past weekend, quality time with my parents, texts with Amber Joy that make me laugh out loud at my phone, getting excited about all of the holiday fun coming our way, the box full of something awesome for Henry's party that arrived yesterday, exciting blog stuff, making new friends, continuing to stay in the positive when it comes to negative online stuff, Henry and that contagious smile of his, turkey and provolone sandwiches, new flats that fit like an absolute dream (more on them later this week), and a fun date night Saturday with Hank that ended with frozen yogurt and fits of laughter.

So, how about you? What are you up to today? Feel free to do your own "currently" post on your blog and link back in the comments for everyone to check out. And thanks again to my dear friend Megan for providing the original inspiration for these posts.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Book Review: The Age of Miracles

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I finished The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker this evening, after poring over every word, reading and rereading every line in it. I'm not really sure how to even begin talking about it besides telling all of you to read it- to just go get it, to go pick up this novel that is somehow more like a long poem, page after page.

The Age of Miracles is fiction, although I feel like it could be real, which is strange and scary all at once. Without giving too much away I will say that it is about our world right now gone wrong- how a "slowing" of the Earth's rotation suddenly happens, and it's about what happens next. The writing is beautiful, pages full of the sharpest imagery and words that just click together like they were meant to be written precisely in that way. There are many stories in one- the Earth's story, a family's story, a growing up story that reminds me a lot of my own sometimes awkward adolesence, and a love story...a beautiful, touching story that brought me back to being 11-years old myself, falling in love with the boy on the skateboard.

This is a special book, a book for adult fiction lovers, YA fiction lovers, Sci-Fi lovers....anyone who loves good read. It made me laugh and cry, and I found myself squeezing in 5 minutes, 10 minutes of reading whenever I could.

Just watch this trailer for the book, then get yourself a copy...and let me know what you think.

xoxo


Saturday, November 3, 2012

Weekend Links

Shark on the loose!
a little shark on the loose at our library's Halloween party last week

Happy Saturday morning! This weekend should be a good one full of friends and family. On the agenda: a baby shower, visiting my sister and Abe's brand new home, and hopefully a stop at our favorite vegan restaurant.

I have been loving seeing all of your Halloween posts, and thank you guys for humoring me as I posted about 10-too-many (okay maybe 15) photos in my own post. Oh well! It's for the sake of posterity right?

Wishing all of you a wonderful time this weekend!

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First up, have you checked out LuLu*s new site?  LuLu*s has been a sponsor of mine in the past and I love love love so many of the items on their site. I'll be posting some family photos next week and in them I'm wearing my favorite sweater from there. I've always enjoyed shopping on their site, but the new version makes navigation a million times easier and they're offering some awesome new things too, like free returns. Check it out and let me know if you find something you like! Here are some of my picks: this party perfect dress and these sweet and simple flats.


Looking for a way to get creative this holiday season? The Craft Pack (made up of three talented people, including my friend Susan!) has created an e-book called A Hip Handmade Holiday, teaching you how to make gifts for everyone in your family for under $10. And best of all, the book itself is $10. Awesome.


And some more links:

5 excuses that keep you unhealthy. 

Simple and so true.

Loving this Etsy shop! So many little treasures.

There is just something about November.

One of my most favorite blogs. Ever!

Have you checked out the Just Lovely blog yet? So many pretty things and inspiration. 

The Nature Walk Project: One Year Later. 

One thing I wish I could tell my younger self. I sure love that Gretchen Rubin.

And speaking of Gretchen Rubin, she interviewed another one of my favorite authors Cheryl Strayed. Good stuff!

Mayor Bloomberg endorses Obama - an interesting read.

Fairy-tales for 20-somethings.

I always enjoy Sara's posts, and this "reality check" was a good one.

Pushing Daisies in the theater?! Even this shred of hope makes me so happy.

Pretty Moms, pretty threads! Love this inspiring look at the ladies behind my new favorite blog.

Super sweet of Babble to include this "Flashback Friday" pic of Henry in their round up of 50 Favorite Halloween pics.

Obsessed with this pinboard calendar from Pinhole Press.

Sponsor love, Etsy edition: Mary Mary Handmade and Feathers and Sinew.

California on film...

And finally some "vintage" Sometimes Sweet:

Tips for new bloggers
Sweet 16: A Letter to My Younger Self
Mirror, Mirror: A Post About Self-Acceptance

xoxo

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Our Halloween


“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." -L.M. Montgomery

October is one of my favorite months, and Halloween in our town is always a big affair. We have events leading up to the big day all month, which I love. And this year was the best yet! It was Henry's 2nd Halloween and it was awesome to watch him get so excited over just about everything. I think my heart melted into a big puddle about a million times watching him say "trick or treat!" while he held out that orange pumpkin.

Henry and I went to CrossFit in the morning, then came home so he could take a long afternoon nap to gear up for our evening. We headed out around 4pm to beat the rush of older kids and I'm glad, because as we finished up around 5:30 it got insanely crowded. Afterward we stopped by both sets of local grandparents and then headed home to put a super sleepy little guy to bed.


I absolutely loved Hank and Henry's costumes! Silly me planned on being a waitress of some sort to go along with the guys but I didn't get a good costume together so instead I was a last-minute sailor. Mark my words, next year we will have a much better 3-person get up! We trick-or-treated with Veronica and her family and little Max was a Grill Master and Trevor wore Hank's hot dog costume from last year to go along with our Dad/son food/chef theme. Veronica was a last-minute devil, so we were both the odd ones out but didn't mind too much! 

We walked up and down the streets, which are closed off from 4pm until the evening, trick-or-treating and running into tons of friends. It was really a wonderful night and reminded me yet again how much I love living in a small town...and more specifically, this one. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so much beauty, and so much excitement over holidays. It's pretty awesome.

I hope all of you had a happy, happy Halloween too. It's hard to believe it's November!


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