happily ever after weekend to you

With all the talk of "THE" wedding, it made me think back on my own. Fancy it was not. We didn't have a photographer and our reception was at a relative's house. Expensive it was not. Um...we didn't have a photographer and our reception was at a relative's house. But; I married the most *perfect* man for me...my prince. And to be honest; I've been treated like a princess every year of our marriage. Who can ask for anything more?
ps. My dress was a vintage find--I'm thinking $40--and look Kate! I've got lace on top, too!

new day

Looking forward to a joyful, fun-filled weekend with a very special almost one year old!

*via weheartit.com

she was golden

 You shot into our hearts and filled our lives with fireworks from day one. We playfully nicknamed you "devil dog" during your puppy years, but each mischief making moment made us love you more.

Zoë endured three hip operations within two years but was ever joyful after each hospital stay. Her doctors admired her courage and tenacity during recovery and life lessons were not lost on us. You taught us to appreciate the moment and enjoy life to the fullest.

Each new home we shared with you was a playground with new sights, smells, and you were happy as long as your chair was waiting for you at the end of a busy day. You loved your morning walks with Daddy to get the paper; you were a snow bunny; you reveled in the thrill of the hunt when the cat dropped her unwanted hunting trophies for the family to "play" with.

You were the life of the party, the belle of the ball, and a force to be reckoned with. Eleven years was too quick with our furry, curly girl...but we are thankful we were allowed to share the joyful life of our "golden girl" Zoë.

let's get it started

Ready for Monday? We've got great fun at the end of the week and jam packed until then. Can you believe this is the last week of April?!

Sunday Matinee

Such a great movie to enjoy on our Sunday afternoon.  Based on the novel "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" by William Nack; Secretariat chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. What is it about watching a horse run that makes me weak in the knees? Gorgeous photography and inspirational story.

wild kingdom

  This is a view from our back patio. Gorgeous rocks, green grass, and...a bobcat tonight! It's actually a bit scary when you see a wild animal that's...wild. You're not sure what it's going to do. Not quick enough to grab a pic but husband and I were studying him while he was watching some visiting quail on our rocks.
PS. along with our newly discovered bobcat, our back and front yard are also home to skunks, raccoons, coyotes, and javelinas!

Happy Weekend

Don't those balls look like  colored eggs? (although  it must be some giant hen to lay them...) Hope you have a joyous and wonderful weekend and enjoy a chocolate bunny or two for me.

have you ever?

  Have you ever had pink or some other "unnatural" hair color? I never have and most likely never will but now would be the perfect season:

When was the last time you had "Peeps"?? We were more of the chocolate bunny jelly bean Easter basket at our house and not a big fan of the brightly colored marshmallow treats. Have you ever had them?

casual cocktail

Have you tried it yet? I brought home a couple of bottles from my day trip to Phoenix and we enjoyed last night. It's good! Light, refreshing, and perfect for summer days.

holy cat fight

When a group of women get together it almost goes without saying that someones feelings will be hurt; there will be talking behind people's backs; and inevitably the mother of all women battles: the cat fight.

Lord have mercy for my Principal who has to deal with the 40 women at my school. We're down to the 5 week mark before school ends and needless to say...tensions and stress level are high due to impending deadlines and budget cuts.
I came home from Phoenix on Monday (totally relaxed and chillin) to a phone call from a co-worker who told me that she and another teacher were in the Principal's office after school going at it with words, accusations, and ending with "I am never talking to such and such again".
My first thought was I AM SO GLAD I WAS NOT AT SCHOOL TODAY TO BE INVOLVED. My second thought was how every day at recess I deal with the same problems from the first through fifth grade girls.
What's the deal? Is it inbred that the female population can't enjoy,support, and encourage each other and turn the other cheek in times of trouble? Or are the "Housewives" the reality of our lives?

friends

 Many thanks to Shari at Little Blue Deer for giving Dressing on the Side (my tshirt company) a shout out on her blog today! If you're looking for a blog redesign, I can highly recommend her. She did a makeover on this blog and is one of the most creative and kind people to work with and has beyond amazing ideas. Thanks again Shari!

*via weheartit.com

shhh...

Enjoying a day off from work and will be loving every minute. Going to see my Scottsdale hairdresser Roscoe and may be returning to work tomorrow with a new look. What else? Shopping, sun, and no time schedule.

sunday drive

Sun. beautiful sun. enjoy your Sunday!

life's a circus

Here's to a magical weekend. Doesn't the movie"Water for Elephants"
look beyond dreamy (gorgeous actors involved). Have you read the book?

*image via PETER LINDBERGH FOR VOGUE US MAY 2011





hooked

we love. love. love this video. yes; it is an advertisement for West Elm but it makes you want to have this music as a soundtrack in your life; hang out with these people on the beach; go sailing; it's beautiful.

*thanks to Beach Bungalow8 for sharing.

like a good neighbor

How well do you know your neighbors? Are they your best friends or more of an acquaintance? Do they know your dirty laundry or do they not know who you are?

Growing up in the midwest my parents were besties with the neighbors. Al and Betty Ott. I even remember getting hand me downs from Carol Ott (who was the cool college girl...) NOt going to sugarcoat it because I vaguely remember being told not to play with those other neighbor kids down the block because they were "trouble" and stayed out too late or some other reason. Basic small town America with the good and the bad as far as neighbors go.
For most of my adult married life, my family and I have never really had neighbors. Sure, there were other people on the street but not the kind of neighborhood where you looked in your next door's neighbor kitchen window while you were in yours. Lots of elbow room. You might get together once or twice a year along with the casual hand wave if they happen to be out as you pull in your driveway.
Last night we found out that our neighbor's husband died from cancer. He passed away two weeks ago. He was a young 65 and we had just toasted in the New Year with them at another neighbor's get together. Can you believe it? We didn't even know he had an illness (to be fair; we found out that he didn't know he had cancer until the middle of January...) but not knowing that he had died makes me feel like "bad neighbor" award.
All of this makes me think how "close" is everyone else to their neighbors?

better the next day

I washed my hair today and won't be washing it again until...Friday? maybe? I call it a feature that my hair just gets better with each passing day and add that to the fact that my hair would feel like straw if I shampooed up more than once a week. What about you?

taking a peek

Husband is obsessed with the talked about everywhere eagle website. Are you following the birds with their newborns?

windy

wind. lots and lots of wind. my contacts are out and glasses are on.
*from here

hey

It's been one of those weeks.
When I first started teaching I had the best schedule ever. EVER.
The reading specialist and I spent our days in what we lovingly referred to as "prison".

An 8x12 foot room; but we did have a very high ceiling and lots of windows on the second floor. Our day didn't really begin until 9:15 or so after we had a "team meeting" (and always with coffee,scones,etc..) discussing our daily lives, television, politics, current events, and every once in a while we mentioned the students we were seeing that day. Our principal was on the same chillax boat and thought we were two very calm,cool, and collected teachers. No doubt.

And now; with all the budget cuts I'm in "prison" alone and no time for coffee, scones, or conversation at times. Don't cry for me Argentina; I do have a job but it's a week like this that can make you wish for the "good old days". And you? Best job ever? *from
href="http://weheartit.com/">here

classics

trench coat. white shirt. straight leg jeans. are they on your must have list?

Truth be told I tried rockin a trench coat once and didn't feel a classic vibe; but more like a wanna be flasher.

*from here and here

less is more?

when it comes to my wrists...more is so much more fun. so much more wonderful. so much eye candy...love!

*from here

sunday morning

Happy Sunday...we love Audrey, don't you? We'll be recreating Top Chef's Mike Isabella's short ribs with pepperoni sauce for Sunday dinner...husband can't wait. I gave him a salad (albeit an amazing salad with spinach, pecans, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and more...but still a salad) and sweet potatoes last night so the man needs meat. What's going on with your day?

casual friday

Rain or Shine....we love the way Atlantic Pacific puts it together.