Tis the holiday season...

That time is here... and you've got the flip flops on to prove it?!

The Texas weather has been so predictable, by being all over the map! It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that its just over a month from Christmas! We're putting up our first tree this year and I've been stalking ebay in an attempt to assemble some stellar vintage ornaments. Anyone have any other places to find these guys? I'm not much of an "ebay-er" and so far, no winning bids.

As for holiday shopping, I'm usually pretty good at thinking up gift ideas but this year I am drawing a total blank for El Hefe. I just don't know what to get the guy that buys a nicer version of anything his mentioned! Anyone gifted some rockstar gift in the past? Any dude idea? Any cheap ideas? Or just any ideas at all?

This will be our second year to host one holiday at our house with (now an annual tradition) of ethnic food delights. I'm for one, pretty excited about not cooking and just enjoying family and the new case of wine I just picked up.

You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.

As everyone posts about the great innovator Steve Jobs passing, I've been reading all his thoughts, speeches and ads. What an inspiring man. As Jeff pointed out to me, this is the Thomas Edison of our time.... so here are somethings that moved me. Thank you for your passion and wise words, RIP Steve.

Some beautiful impromptu memorials at Apple stores.

"Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html (great video: steve jobs speaking at stanford)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rwsuXHA7RA (The crazy ones narrated by Steve Jobs)

Save a pretzel for the gas jets!

This just cracked me up, maybe because I'm the only democrat left in Dallas but thought I'd share anyways.... the best voice over ever. Happy hump day.

http://gordonkeith.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/misinterpreting-rick-perry-thursday/

Bonus video
And this one is from TED, the power of smiling: http://www.ted.com/talks/ron_gutman_the_hidden_power_of_smiling.html

Happy 6 months to my boo!

Can't believe we were celebrating in Cabo six months ago already.

So, a few lover photos that I <3

Joanne Woodward, "Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that’s a real treat…"

Cabo + Photos

I've finally received my professional photos! I was so lucky to have so many talented friends there to shoot the wedding weekend that I was not stalking the Cabo photographer with my normal nagging.

We had much debate (Jeff and I, the photog and I) on prices and I am so happy that we did splurge on photos. It is the only thing you use after the event.

The event:
We were married on the beach in Cabo in a "toes-in-the-sand elegant" ceremony. I wanted to keep the wedding small, intimate and affordable, we had ~35 close friends and family at the all-inclusive Zoetry Casa del Mar. We chose this hotel for our celebration because it was small (~40 suites total) and luxurious (massages and top shelf included!).

To keep our cost down, we had a friend design and print (now opening her own etsy shop!!) our save the dates, invites and weekend itinerary "passports". We wanted to have a vintage/beach feel. I also designed my dress and had it handmade for under $700, the rest of the details were handmade by vendors on etsy (wedding shrug, hairpiece and birdie cake toppers).

I wore jewelry my grandfather had given me for college graduation, it was a pearl/diamond set, representing each of our birthstones (which of course made my dad cry).

Here are a few of our favorites....

Surprisingly lovely...

Is it amazing when something unexpectedly (good) happens? Like grabbing coffee just to hear the person in front of you pre-paid for your order? Or if you're a mess like me, being surprised with a holiday your office is closed for?

In Japan over 600 manhole covers have been "recreated" into a burst of art. What a nice way to brighten up your day....

Juliana Herrera has patched some love into cracked sidewalks in Paris. Just what that city needed, to get even more cute and cozy.

Lighting can be $$, so I was thrilled to see these modern marvels at under $100

Of course, now that all my wedding invites and thank you cards are out these hippie love stamps hit the post office.... le sigh.

Things I love on the interwebs

So, its been a slow week at work and I've come to the end of the internet.... here is what I've found to be pretty nifty imo.

Make Fido fancy

Vintage Carafe

Bright cover-ups for summer

Garden by color, funky plant stakes to keep your greens properly labeled

Wine not say something, personalized sauce

Dreaming of my next vacay.... but here are a few pix from Spain!

Almost Friday friends! I can see the light....