Number 14

Can be crossed off the list. It started with a bike ride down to Big Dean's for beers and french fries in the sun. We thought we'd have a crowd, but it turned out to be just us. On a whim, I grabbed the chess pieces right before we headed out the door.

The Santa Monica Chess Park really is the neatest little place with lots of little chess tables in the sand right across from the beach. The afternoon was perfect - too bad I can't say the same about my strategy. Mason says I need to practice more. After the fun I had at the chess park, maybe I just will.

Play Dates & Bike Rides

Wow - where did the weekend go? Between snuggling the new kitten, working on the apartment and doing a little registry shopping, we stayed pretty busy. I even scratched something else off the birthday list, which was nice - and we rode bikes, something we've done way too little of this summer.

On Sunday night we introduced Cajun to his new cousin. I wouldn't say the meeting went badly, but I wouldn't say it went well either. Brianne and I were like nervous mother hens, Max was completely carefree and Cajun was more than a little leery of the new (very energetic!) bundle of fur running around the apartment.

It turned out to be a pretty short play date. Their favorite part? Playing peek-a-boo from under the couch.

Max Factor

Say hello to the newest member of my family (my nephew, to be exact) - Maximilian!

This little cutie belongs to my sister, Brianne, and he's already making her life a love fest. His favorite thing to do is crawl up your shoulders into the crook of your neck and take a little nap. How can you not fall in love with that?

Brianne adopted Max from the same shelter that we adopted Cajun from. I can't wait to introduce the two of them. Unfortunately, little Max has quite the cold so the meeting will have to wait. I'm crossing my fingers that they end up being the best of friends...

#9

Can be crossed off the list. This past Saturday, my sister and I had fondue-and-a-movie night (which is now my all-time favorite way to spend a night, hands down). We made a cheese fondue for dinner and a chocolate fondue for dessert, and boy oh boy, were they fabulous.

The cheese fondue was made with this Rachel Ray German Cheddar and Beer Fondue recipe, and we had broccoli, bread and sausage for dipping.

The chocolate fondue was made with this Whiskey Chocolate Fondue recipe, and we had pound cake, rice krispy treats and strawberries for dipping.

I would highly recommend both of these fondues (preferrably paired with plenty of wine and The Last Song - or something similar). If you try them, let me know what you think!

Save the Date

I'm not sure if I ever posted a photo of the Save the Date cards that we sent out. If not, my apologies (and photo above). I saw these today posted as favorites on Style Me Pretty. That made me smile. And then I realized that these (along with our bridesmaid/groomsmen attire) were the same color scheme as my bedroom inspiration. Looks like I've had grey and yellow on the brain for a while...

Bedroom Inspiration

I've never been good at decorating bedrooms. I'm not sure why. I can decorate a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, an office - but I can never get my bedroom just right. It's always been that way, ever since I was a kid. My bedroom has always been an ongoing project - an if-I-could-just-change-this-I-would-like-it project, and frankly, I hate those kinds of projects.

Right now, our bedroom is a hodge podge of old furniture, but we'll be getting an entire (matching!) bedroom set very soon, complete with all new bedding. (Seeing as how we both really, really like to sleep, this is all very exciting.) And this time, I've promised myself I'll get it right on the first try.

After browsing a few design blogs, I've settled on a color scheme of brown, grey, white and mustard yellow (because those rooms in the photo above just look so simple and cozy), and I've found quite a few fun accessories that would work perfectly with it.

If you find anything else that fits with this scheme, feel free to send a link my way. I promise to post pictures as soon as the apartment transformation is complete. For now, I'm just enjoying the process.

Waiting...

Cajun likes our new kitchen table because it has benches instead of seats. He likes to take naps stretched out on the benches. He also likes to run down them really fast and jump off the ends.

This morning, I walked into the kitchen to find him sitting on a bench where he appeared to be patiently waiting for his breakfast. Such a funny little guy.

My sister is hoping to adopt a kitten of her own this weekend. I so hope she does. I'd love to see what Cajun would do with a buddy.

Happy Friday!

Dinner for Three

At my wedding shower, my mom gave me a basket of candles and the poem below. Some of you may have heard of this before. I think it's a super cute gift idea that's fun to do throughout the years, and although we haven't been too good at remembering to burn them for everything, we did remember last night when we had my sister over for dinner.

We even used our brand new plates. And ate on our brand new table.

Have I mentioned that getting married is a whole lot of fun?

A Basket of Candles For (Bride's name)

A basket of candles that come in a pair
in all different colors, for you two to share.
The white ones burn first; they are wrapped in white lace
to celebrate your first married night in your new chosen place.
The *green pair is taller, and also much thinner;
burn with the first company you have over for dinner.
The dark blue candles are for after your first fight;
use them to burn while making up all night.
Pink candles set the mood and pave the way
for your first married Valentine’s Day.
Now, when your first year of marriage is through,
the cream anniversary pair, will light for you two.
Red candles aflame, both your futures are bright;
celebrate promotions you’ve worked toward with all of your might.
By this time we hope, maybe, just maybe
you can light the purple ones, on the birth of your baby.
And just when you thought you’d put these away,
take the light blue ones out for your fifth anniversary day.
Now just one more pair left - for the big "two five,"
the anniversary pair that will keep your love alive.
Congratulations (Bride and Groom)
on the start of your forever.
May the two of you always be happy together.
And burn these candles just the way we said,
but please don’t forget: blow them out before bed!

*I'm guessing my mom took creative liberties with the color of the dinner candles - mine were definitely crimson, not green.

#24

Can be crossed off the list. Check out the newly updated "My Favorites" list in the right-hand column for some great blogs I've come to love over the past year.

And if you know of any others that you think I might like, please, please, please leave them in the Comments section. I'm always on the look out for more favorites.

The Idaho Reception

Last Friday was a really fun day. Not only was it my birthday, but it was also the day I recieved the disk of photos from Pam and Hannah of the Idaho Reception. They are so cute I just want to squeeze their chubby little cheeks (the photos, not Pam and Hannah...ok, maybe Pam and Hannah, too).

Pam and Hannah are friends of Mason's family and shot the wedding for us for free since we didn't have a budget for photography at the second reception. We are so eternally thankful to them for lending their time and talent. The photos turned out beautifully. (See for yourself below.)

The Idaho Reception was held at the Stensgar Pavilion, which is part of the Coeur d'Alene Resort and Casino. The entire Pavilion is glass windows and looked so nice in the setting sun.

It was really great to see all of Mason's long-time family friends that I had never met, as well as our Northwest friends that we don't see very often. We even had a couple surprise guests all the way from Germany. We all enjoyed a nice dinner, plenty of cake, a frosty keg of Red Hook (brewed in Seattle) and lots of catching up.

But the best part of the night was the photo booth! A few weeks before the reception, Pam emailed me with the idea of a photo booth with props where guests could take silly pictures with each other. I'm so glad she suggested it because these are my absolute favorite photos from the night. (We started it outside and moved inside as it got dark.)

All in all, the Idaho Reception was tons of fun. The Northwest is beautiful this time of year, and I'm so happy that we got to end everything there with a few boat rides and one really great party.

#1

Can be crossed off the list. I took a little trip to the Social Security Office this morning and made it official.

Charisse Adams. I like the way that sounds...

P.S. - Today is our 1 month wedding anniversary. We're celebrating with dinner out. I don't think we'll celebrate every month, but this one - the first one - seems worth celebrating.

(The shot above was taken in Washington a few days before our Idaho Reception, and I love the rolling wheat fields in the background.)

#29

Can be crossed off the list. It's official! I finally celebrated my birthday at Cowboy Country after talking about doing it for three years now.

There were balloons...

And really cute cupcakes (courtesy of Vanilla Bake Shop)...

And party hats (because you're never too old for a party hat)...

And good friends...

And all in all, it was perfect - but the best thing about turning 29? Getting my very own (and very first!) sewing machine. I am so, so excited about all the projects I have in mind. Bring on the crafting!

29 Things To Do Before I Turn 30

1. Change my last name done
2. Sweat through some Bikram Yoga
3. Host a Mexican fiesta done
4. Eat a famous hot dog done
5. Play a game of gin with Suava
6. Take a dip in the ocean
7. Make some serious progress on the photo albums
8. Go rollerblading with Mason done
9. Make two new fondues done
10. Take a class at the Urban Craft Center
11. Reminisce at Big Wang’s done
12. Start my own Etsy shop
13. Celebrate the first year with frozen cake done
14. Play chess on the Santa Monica tables done
15. Jog on the beach
16. Learn about the Ice Age done
17. Browse for new records done
18. Start saving for a fancy camera
19. Float the river
20. Sew something for the apartment done
21. Learn at least one new line dance (possibly this one)
22. Take Brianne to The Parker
23. Have Sunday brunch with a side of Gospel
24. Update my list of favorite blogs done
25. Purchase my very first Jonathan Adler piece done
26. Write Mason a love note done
27. Get some new house plants – and keep them alive done
28. Cheer on the Coug’s at a home game done
29. Celebrate my 29th at Cowboy Country (since I didn’t make it for my 28th) done

*If you see a few repeats from last year, it's because I just couldn't give them up. I'll do them this year. Oh yes, I will.

*Click here to see last year's list.

Re-Decorating

Since Mason and I are now living in what used to be me and my sister's apartment, we decided we would re-decorate everything together so that it felt like "ours" and not just "mine," and I must say, we're having a blast. So far our purchases include a new dining room table (with benches instead of chairs!), a new entry way table, a new sectional couch (so comfy!), a new flat screen TV and a screen door (random, but oh so nice). The apartment already looks way less "girly" and more grown up. Saturday we're getting the walls painted, and I'm so excited to see what the finished product looks like. I have a feeling I'm never going to want to leave. (Don't worry - I'll definitely post pics!)

In the midst of my re-decorating brainstorm, I decided to do a little browsing for rugs on UrbanOutfitters.com and was totally surprised by the completely cool, retro furniture they sell. (See picture above.) I confess, I may have drooled. If you're in need of a new piece for your place, I would definitely check them out.

And then, as if that wasn't enough, I also bumped into this on Etsy. For those of you who remember this post, you know I've been wanting one of these "Keep Calm" posters for a while now. The fact that I can get one custom made in any color with any wording makes me giddy. I'm thinking of a spot right over our computer desk. "Keep Calm and Write On" or "Keep Calm and Blog On" are both in the running.

#26

Can be crossed off the list. This one was hard for me, and honestly, I didn't do it very often over the past twelve months.

I've always wanted to be one of those people who gets up early to read the newspaper and sip a cup of coffee and enjoy a little relaxation before the craziness of the day sets in - but I am a night owl - and staying up until midnight does not make early mornings easy.

I suppose I just need to choose one or the other - and mornings with all of their peaceful quiet and comfy couches and warm lamplight do have a lot going for them. Below are some pictures of what morning looks like in my house.