a few of my favorite things..

GlassyBaby

"The magic starts in our Seattle studio. It takes four glassblowersto create just one unique, handmade glassybaby. Glassblowers gather a ball of clear, molten glass on the blowpipe and blow it into a bubble. Next, a piece of colored glass is dropped onto the bubble and rolled over it. Finally, a layer of clear glass is gathered over the color, creating the unique, three-layered starting point of a glassybaby."

Dark Chocolate Bar with Almonds & Sea Salt Bar (and a love note inside)

J Crew Vintage cotton V-neck tee

Hunter Boots Original in Navy

Ray-Ban 'Boyfriend' Flat Top Frame Sunglasses

A Kindle.. of course

Blue Monkey Coconut Water

I've been drinking Blue Monkey Coconut Water like crazy lately!! It is so good for you.. here's why: "A single coconut usually provides an 11 ounce serving of water, and it is low in calories and fat but rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. A few key nutrients in Coconut Water include Lauric acid, Chloride, and Iron, as well as important electrolytes such as Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, and Phosphorous. In fact, the potassium content in Coconut Water is close to twice the amount in a banana. A healthy balance of electrolytes is important for the optimal health of our muscular, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems, as well as to help with the absorption and balance of the body's internal fluids."

Tyler Laundry Scents, a detergent perfect for your delicate laundry items and bedding.

Lululemon pants.. after all, people bend, your pants will too!

Jo Malone

Jo Malone is a perfume I got onto while working at Nordstrom this year. There are two sizes, one is under 3 oz and perfect for traveling. Verbenas of Provence Cologne and French Lime Blossom are my favorites so far. Here is a little information on the product: With clean, natural and often unexpected ingredients, Jo Malone infuses each scent with a story and originality of its own.

This versatile tumbler is double-walled to keep cold drinks from sweating. An acrylic straw will encourage hydration throughout the day. Safe for drinks 160° and below.This reusable cup is available in oversized 16 and 20 ounce, and ideal for water, tea, and iced drinks.

http://vesseldrinkware.com/vesseldrinkware/

Before Joe started his new job a couple weeks ago, we decided to take a weekend trip to Victoria BC to celebrate!

We took the clipper early Friday morning and got to The Grand Hotel around 10:00am, hoping to at least check our bags at the front desk for a few hours bc we were so early. To our surprise, they had our room ready and gave us the keys! The view was incredible from the balcony - so I had to snap a few pics!

We went to Irish Times Pub for lunch and sat by the window for a view. I had an Irish coffee with a flat bread pizza and Joe tried a local beer with his burger - perfect lunch before hitting the streets for the afternoon to look around.

I've been reading another book by Kate Morton called The Distant Hours that takes place in a castle.. so Joe agreed to take a tour of the Craigdarroch Castle. It was a self guided tour so we wondered around for about an hour or so and were really fascinated by the rich history.

We walked to the Royal BC Museum that afternoon too. The Modern Era History Gallery explores the mining and logging era of mankind on the west coast depicting the days of the gold mines and logging camps, the tools they used and the technology they invented to work their trade.

We took a picture by the Empress Hotel to show my parents. They have been here before for high tea so we were thinking of them!

Victoria feels so much like Europe and is such a walkable City. This time of year isn't tourist season so it wasn't too crowded, which we both appreciated. It rained most of the time and felt cold.. which made for a perfect weekend for two Seattle people. Until next time...

2010 books

2010 Books (in no particular order):

THE CONFESSION, by John Grisham
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
LITTLE BEE, by Chris Cleave
THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN, by Kate Morton
AT HOME, by Bill Bryson
CHELSEA CHELSEA BANG BANG, by Chelsea Handler
FREEDOM, by Jonathan Franzen
THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY, by Alexander McCall Smith
TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE, by Alexander McCall Smith
THE PATRON SAINT OF LIARS, by Ann Patchett
THE PILOT'S WIFE, by Anita Shreve
ESCAPE, by Carolyn Jessop

Currently Reading or Waiting in the Que on my Kindle
Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Aftershock: The Next Economy & America's Future by Robert B. Reich
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, by Chelsea Handler

Books I started but didn't finish
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, by Stieg Larsson (to intense at the time)
A CIRCLE OF QUIET, by Madeleine L'Engle (3/4 finished)
COMFORT ME WITH APPLES, Ruth Reichl (1/2 finished, lost interest)
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, by Jamie Ford (didn't finish
b/c I got the Kindle and it was my last paperback book)

New York City

Its been an incredible weekend in New York City... and tomorrow starts a week of Cole Haan training at the corporate office downtown.

My friend and I started the day in SoHo at Saturdays; an espresso bar/surf shop.

Check out the website: http://www.saturdaysnyc.com/

From there we walked to Smile for lunch... and it was "to die for" as my grandmother would say.

We then stumbled upon an Art Exhibit called RE:Form. I took some pictures at the old school building from different artist's featured in the classrooms.

Looking out onto the courtyard from a classroom

The cupcake shop in SoHo

School Bust

Birthday!

Joe gave me the most thoughtful gift as part of my b-day present. He printed coupons for all of my favorite things to do... loved them!

Yesterday was an eventful day.. due to the fact I turned 25 again and worked at a Junior League event in Seattle called the Northwest Art 50th Anniversary Project.

Eric was hired to play the piano as part of the entertainment for the event. It was really nice to spend the evening with one of my relatives.

Here is one of my favorite paintings, named by Eric as the Disco Deer. Heidi was on my committee and became a friend in the process!

The NW Art project introduces over 20,000 children annually to the rich production of NW artist's through the exibition of its highly respected art collection in local schools. Through informational and intimate discussion of the pieces, the children experience more than a formal art history lesson and develop the ability to imagine what might be. The JL of Seattle put together this fundraiser to expand the project to reach all of King County.

There was food donated by Beechers, Boom Noodle, Wild Ginger and Trophy Cupcakes!

Maker's Mark provided a specialty drink.. and Tranche, O Wines and DeLille Cellars provided the wine selection.

Guests could walk around the Wright Exhibition Space to see 20 of our privately owned art collection. The artists were also at the event to see their work hanging. Michael Spafford was also an artist present and part of the entertainment. He sketched a piece or art for a drawing that took place at the end of the event. A lucky guest got to take his painting home!

Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany

Brother Ben

Ben sent me this photo last week from his iPhone, as he was flying over Italy.

He is stationed in Ramstein-Miesenbach Germany for the next three years as a pilot for the Air Force Academy. This picture was taken from his back yard.

We're going to miss him so much this Christmas as he is not coming home for the holidays.

Here is his new address, in case you want to send him a card or cookies.. (he loves anything sweet.)

Ben Hall
PSC 1 box 1126
APO AE 09009

Our New Home!

This week I went to Hazel Salon and got my hair darkened by Yeye. I love it!

Here are some pictures of our new home! Enjoy!

Kitchen Counter

Guest Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Restroom

Kitchen

Dining Room
Front Porch

Living Room