Playdate at the Park

This little lady makes me happy and brings me joy.  I love that she is observant, inquisitive, and a quick learner.  I love that she is loving, gentle, and friendly.  Basically, I love everything about her!  And although I'm not able to visit her as often as I'd like, I love and appreciate each moment I can spend with her (and her mommy).    

I love you, Lorelai!

Does anyone remember the show Gilmore Girls? 

Lorelai and her daughter, Lorelai.  Stars Hollow.  Emily, Richard, and Trix.  Luke and his diner.  Suki and Michel at the Dragonfly Inn. Dean, Jess, and Logan. Chilton and Yale. Lane and Paris.  And of course... the theme song, "Where you Lead." - Good times!

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The Gilmore Girls has got to be one of my all time favorite TV shows ever!!! The quick wit and banter of the dynamic mother daughter duo always kept me laughing and thoroughly entertained, and the special bond that Lorelai and Rori shared reminded me a lot of my mom and me.  For one hour a week, the show gave me enough mother daughter moments and sass to keep me from falling prey to homesickness in college.  Oh, how I wish they had come out with a Gilmore movie... but I guess DVD reruns will do.

Today was Mothers' Day, a day that is very special for me!  I love that there is a day that my mom and I can celebrate each other and the bond that we share every day of the year!

I also want to wish Sister a Happy Mothers' Day! 

Wedding Wednesday! - Wedding Binder

I have learned that it is incredibly important to be organized when planning a wedding.  A few people have asked me how I keep all of our wedding contracts, contacts, budget, and schedule organized - here is the answer: Russell+Hazel!
Shortly after the Mister and I got engaged, Sister sent me be the most wonderful wedding planning organizer!  I love that the organizer comes a bunch of goodies including pre-labeled (and a few blank) pocketed tabs, different sized sticky notes, and a variety of page protectors: single page, multi-page and my favorite, business card pages.

Russell+Hazel Wedding Organizer & Recipe Binder

My organizer is a constant work in progress.  In the beginning, our binder had only inspirational magazine tear outs; now each section has a contract copy, notes from vendor meetings, and an edited number of pictures.
For other brides-to-be, whether you choose R+H or a different organizational method, you might want to take a look at the R+H website and check out the wedding templates they have checklists, worksheets, and much more!

PS. Thank you Sister!

It's my Birthday!

Some people don't like birthdays because they just think about getting older, but I love birthdays, and think they are much less about age and more about celebrating a person and their life.    

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I owe my love for celebrating birthdays to my parents who always made a HUGE deal about my birthday!  Some of my favorite birthday memories include waking up, on my birthday, to a bedroom filled with streamers and posters, balloons on the ceiling and some on the floor, and birthday cards and presents everywhere (all over the house, in my backpack, my lunch...).

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Today was just as special as all the birthdays I remember growing up.  Even before my birthday, I had already received a bunch of presents and cards (I love cards!!) from my sister and niece, one of my BFF's, the Mister, and the Mister's grandma!  And even though I had to be at work, today was a fabulous day!  When I woke up my blackberry was flashing and already filled with tons of birthday messages: one from Italy, a couple from Tokyo, and many from friends and family whom I haven't spoken with in months!  I even had my favorite Starbucks breakfast sandwich waiting for me at my desk when I got to work, presents from a bunch of co-workers, lunch with with the Mister and a bunch of the girls, phone calls from all of my favorite people, dinner with a good friend, and even a homemade chocolate cake!

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I just finished writing my Thank You cards to my friends, family, and co-workers, and as I look at the stack of envelopes I can't help but think of just how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life who love me and celebrate me.

Today is also very special to be for another reason: this post is my 100th post!  YEAH!  

Thank you for reading and for your comments I appreciate it all.    

Happy Birthday, SISTER!

Dear Sister, 

I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday! I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful sister that I have always been able to look up to and admire.  I wish I could be there with you to eat cupcakes and go shoe shopping! 

Happy Birthday!

XO

... and now for your "I wish I could get you" birthday gifts

{Dogeared Happy Birthday Star Necklace, $68}

{Christian Louboutin Pigalle Glittered Pump, $595}

{a day at Bliss Spa}

PS. I (we) hope you LOVE your actual birthday gift!  

It's a HAPPY day!

{@ LJ's 1st birthday}

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Sister and her mister, B!

{@ Fish Bank in Tokyo}

And a very Happy Birthday to one of my besties, "Pea!"