Pictures

It's my party...1 week out and things are getting SWEET

Mistake #1 : Asking for "regrets only" on the RSVP.

Reasoning behind is that NO ONE RSVPs anymore. So I thought it would make it easier - just let me know if you are coming. But some people RSVPed No, others said "Yes" others.. nothing. So.. Hmm. I have no clue how many people are coming. Somewhere between 10 - 40. LaLaLa

This week is all about putting things together. I've picked up some fun items like these plate, napkins, table cloths and pink plastic trays from Target...

I think they will go perfectly with my theme... as will these..

A gift from my mom! Thanks, Mommy!

My friend Carol sent me a link to pictures from a black and white wedding photo shoot that I'm so totally going to steal from:

Photo from E. Leigh Photography

I'm going to get some oreos, merengines, and attempt to make Bakerella's cake pops and macarons... Additionally I'm going to get some cupcakes (whheeee!) and maybe some other delish little desserts. 

Wish me luck!

January Oranges

It's amazing what winter rain does for us in Southern Cali. First it almost wrecks our never properly prepared infrastructure with power outages and floods, leaving us the laughing stock of the rest of the country who has been snowed under now for 3 months. But when the storm moves east to terrorize the mid-west some more, it leaves us with the most amazing, crisp, bright colors... and a renewed appreciation of why we live in one of the most overvalued housing markets in the country

 

Yes, this is our backyard. We have our little "orange tree orchard and more birds of paradise than we know what to do with. With just one week of rain, the yard has come alive with color. The plants were so desperate for a good soak, that they all immediately perked up.

Even the weeds on the side of the house and the old brick incinerator/black widow breeding pit/baby death trap in the back looks like almost quaint...

#DS73

And in very strange way, even the tree bark seemed happy to be out in the sun.

 

And even stranger... I found a plant that looked oddly familiar growing happily...almost smiling?

I guess everyone was happy to feel the bright sun on their "face".

Escape

Last year we were invited to an overnight event down closer to home. Normally when we want to escape, we drive the kids to LA and go from there, but circumstances as they were, that was not possible. So we broached the subject with one of our babysitters about an overnight. Very surprisingly, she charged a flat fee that was just about $20 more than a really good afternoon-late night date, but with the bonus of a few hours in the morning with no getting apple juice, changing a diaper or breaking up a fight. So yea, we've now jumped on this a few times. 

Like most parents, I love my kids more than I can even try to express in words, but Jason and I also truly love a night away... re-connect, re-charge, think about ourselves for 24 whole hours. For us, and our relationship, the baby sitting fee and cost of the hotel is worth it 1000x over. And, in a fuzzy math kinda way, I can justify the costs every which way - from it's less than a divorce and WAY less than a DUI or even a cab ride back from downtown San Diego. 

Or in this case, Coronado...

 

It had been a long few months, and we needed a bit of what the Brit's call a "mini-break". I think it's interesting that over there getting away for a night or weekend is common place, while here it's an extravagance. So with the babysitter booked, Jason and I looked at our options. Closeish. Nice. Relaxing. Since I always say the biggest downfall of living in San Diego is not getting to vacation IN San Diego - we decided on Coronado. 

 

Most of you are familiar with The Hotel Del Coronado. It's been a long-time dream of mine to stay there, but the problem with San Diego is that we never have an "off season" at the beach, so there is never a deal to be found. Not to mention it's supposed to be haunted, so I'm not sure I want to spend $350 to not sleep all night because I'm worried Ms. Kate will want to party. Further down the Silver Strand is the Lowes Coronado Bay Resort, with no beach but a marina, the fantasy boat owners in us won out this time. 

We check in and hit the marina to rent a little motor boat. Yes, its the middle of winter, but it was actually a beautiful day to be on the bay.

unless, of course, you are the owner of this little catamaran.. then, welll.. you were just awaiting for high-tide.

The day and night away were short-lived, and today it's back to reality and while we were in flip-flops on Saturday, today we are singing in the rain...

#DS64