You can vote again...every day!

If you're sitting at home today, stuck inside because of the rain like me, feel free to head over to Green Wedding Shoes and vote (again) for Bryan and I in the "Love Shoot" contest. You can vote once a day until Monday, March 1st at 8pm. You're not busy, right?

We're couple #2, if you don't know us well, and our inspiration board looks like this.

By the way. It was sunny this morning, when I went to hot yoga. Then I came home and we walked the dogs in the rain. How does that happen?

Flashback Friday: Happy Birthday Dad

It's my Dad's birthday this weekend. He's turning 15 and a half...a leap year baby. Gosh they grow up fast.

Here he is back in the day, trying to win my Mother's affection.

It worked, and here we all are.

A few memories about the man I call...well mostly Dad:

My Dad always built the best living room forts. He would even staple the sheets to the furniture. None of that tucking in stuff and hoping it stayed, his forts were serious business. He also built the best jumps in the snow.

He makes a mean spinach souffle, and always melts a little butter in the maple syrup.

Every Valentine's Day he would make sure to leave something for his girl's to find in the morning when they came down for breakfast.

My Dad is also the absolute best camping/backpacking partner. He always brought a hammock, and made us french toast and cocoa, and would start the campfire before we woke up. Once when we were backpacking on the coast, he brought butter and garlic and we picked mussels off the beach and steamed them over the fire. Another time in the mountains, he mixed crystal light powder in snowballs and made us snowcones (you're right, that doesn't seem safe. Thanks for not killing us Dad).

He used to call me "Bug", and when he called home and I answered the phone he'd ask "have I told you I love you yet today?"

After I had surgery, he went out and bought me a TV with a VCR so I could watch movies in bed. He also took me on numerous shopping trips. What a guy!

Whenever he drove me to the dentist, he'd let me shift. He also taught me how to drive backwards, round and round the circular driveway and told me "guys think it's cool when a girl knows how to drive a stick shift." Turns out he was right.

One day when I was home sick from school, he was out doing some yard work and was quietly sneaking up on a mole hill. I asked my Mom what he was doing and she said "trying to kill a mole." I got upset, so we closed the blinds so I wouldn't see it. After a while I was really worried that he had killed it, so we opened the blinds to see....and there he was standing proudly in the sliding door with a dead mole on the end of his pitchfork. I cried pretty hard.

And the most damaging memory....

I am deathly afraid of aliens, specifically ones with almond shaped eyes. One night I was pleading with my Dad to let me sleep in their bed and he wouldn't budge. Giving up, I asked him to check to see if my window was locked. He said to me "Nik, if they're going to come for you, they'll come THROUGH the wall anyway.

Happy Birthday Dad! Thank you for making it so hard for any man to live up to our expectations ;) I love you.

Auntie Nitni and Uncle Bian

That's us. Saturday night we got to hang out with our Nephew Jackson. Normally when Bryan is around, he doesn't give me the time of day. But this time, Uncle Bryan didn't come over right away so I got a lot of Jackon time. I loved it.

Little Monkey climbing on my legs

Baxter did not understand smile for the camera

Pretending to blow bubbles

We watched Seasame Street where they made a 20 pickle pie...and then we had to have a pickle

And we read lots of stories with Uncle Bryan, and drove trucks on his stomach

Later when Bryan went home to tend to the pups, Jackson kept calling "Nitni, Nitni" from his crib. I went to his room and rocked him to sleep. Nothing better than a sleeping babe in your arms.

And then going home to your own bed for a solid 8 hours of sleep ;)

Thanks for all your votes yesterday! I feel loved ;)

Vote for moi!

I entered my Husband and I in a "Dream Photo Shoot" contest by Green Wedding Shoes. The winner receives a "Love Shoot" photographed by Caroline Tran and styled by Jen of Green Wedding Shoes. Bryan and I made it to the finals!

Pretty please head over and vote for us? You have until March 1st. I know the other's ideas are great too, but focus. Okay, put on your game face...are you ready? GO!



We're couple #2. Nikki & Bryan and our inspiration board looks like this:

Okay, let's try again. Click HERE!


Merci beaucoup!

Hanna the Bride

Saturday I went to a bridal shower for my friend Hanna. She is getting married in Key Largo in April!

Johanna

Poofs! I love poofs!

Awesome sangria. 3 different kinds!

Caprese kabobs

Heart shaped sweets

Red velvet cupcakes

The best bridal shower game ever! You will see this one again at the next shower I throw. Someone get married please!

Bridal Jeopardy

The winners! These girls know their stuff!

I brought Hanna a special gift. When we worked together previously, our company had a dance off at our holiday party. Hanna and I were the only two from our office that would participate. Long story short, we won! The prize was $1,000. $500 each, and a gaudy trophy. Well I'm a packrat and have had this trophy for the past 4 years...so now it's Hanna's turn to keep it. Don't worry, I got her a real gift too.

It was a great shower.

Congratulation's Hanna and Mike. I can't wait to see the wedding pictures!

La Rustica

On Friday we had a lovely little farewell dinner for our friend Stephanie who is heading back to Switzerland this week. We went to La Rustica in West Seattle. So good. If you're in the mood for Italian...and I always am.

View from Capitol Hill...from the car

>Stephanie and Mike. Lovebirds.

Frega

Bryan's Paella Napoletana

Stephanie's Risotto Gamberi e Asparagi

My Tagliatelle ai Funghi

Mike's Sweet and Sour Boar. You heard me. It was amazing!

And of course, tiramisu...how could you not?

Go...this weekend. Date night!

Flashback Friday: Nice coconuts ;)

Speaking of Hawaii (I spoke of Hawaii yesterday, you don't remember? Gosh why can't you keep up!), I have been. Once...in 6th grade.

It was beautifully boring, to a 6th grader. I went with my parents, my Grandparents and my Sister. My Grandparents don't speak English, my Mom was busy spending time with my Grandparents, and my Sister had mono. My Dad bounced between everyone. It was the summer Disney's Pocahontas was released, so I spent my time listening to the soundtrack. My taste in music has always been hip. I bounced between that and Seal's "kiss from a rose". Like I said...hip.

Last year my Grandma brought me some photo albums full of photos of myself (perfect Flashback Friday material). There are quite a few photos from that trip to Hawaii.

Is it wrong to reference "coconuts" when you're talking about a 6th grader?

Even if it's yourself and you had the biggest "coconuts" in the 6th grade.

And then you stopped growing?...

Luau entertainment. Check out my bangs...think I should still do it?

I'm still trying to figure out why my Grandma had this postcard in my photo album.

I'm guessing it was my Grandpa's.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend in the sun!

Sunshine

Me: You've never been to Hawaii right? Would you rather go to Hawaii over Mexico on our next tropical vacation?

Bryan: No. I don't think I'd like Hawaii.

Me: Why not?

Bryan: It's just like Mexico but more expensive. Plus, I don't even like macadamia nuts.

I am dying for some sunshine right now. It's finally not raining here at the moment, but I want real HOT sun. Clear Caribbean water and a drink with an umbrella would be nice too. My parents are in Isla Mujeres right now. So not fair!

Anyhoosier. Remember how I said I was bad at accepting blog awards? Well I never even completed the requirements of acceptance. Okay they're not really requirements, but whatever. So here ya are folks:

Awarded to me by my SIL Chelsea of In a Yellow House. Who is also someplace sunny right now. WTF?!

The rules for accepting the award: Put the logo on your blog (okay, I did..and then?), pass the award on to 10 bloggers (holy cow that's a lot), let the nominees know they've received an award by commenting on their blog (okie dokie), and finally share the love by linking to the person from whom you've received the award (see above, okay where's my cookie?).

1. LiLu of Livit Luvit- because my God she makes me laugh every. single. frickin'. day.

2. CarissaJaded- It's almost like Clarissa explains it all...and I loved that show. Maybe you should change your blog name Carissa.

3. Chelsea Talks Smack- She's livin' the dream. My dream. And she's motivates me. Very hard to do!

4. Walking On Sunshine- Um hello, what's in a name? ;) Makes me sing every time I see she updated!

5. The DIY Showoff- Inspiration, inspiration, inspiration. Oh you make me feel inspired.

6. Living with Lindsay- I'm always excited to see what she has in store. Creativity up the whooha!

7. Kendi Everyday- Always makes me wish I had tried a little harder on my outfit, and gives me great ideas. If I ever give up my cheapness that is...

8. G6 Family- One of the most positive peeps I know. Even if I haven't seen her in years. And I mean years.

9. Mimi Charmante- Just found her and already love all her images and style. Will bring me lots of sunshine in the coming weeks. No pressure or anything ;)

10. High-Heeled Foot in the Door- I've been a lurker on her blog for quite some time. She makes me crave color, while I sit in my black and white world...and sometimes gray ;)

Oh, and this award is for Positivity and Creativity...guess I forgot to mention. Feel free to play along. I won't get my feelings hurt if you don't!

The 2nd award from Jassie of Fortress of Solidity...and I don't know what the award is, but it includes a meme. I'm really bad at memes...

7 things my readers don't know about me: and probably don't want to anyway

1. When I do my cool down on the treadmill and find myself walking really slow, I do a sexy walk (with arms and facials), like you sometimes do for the first 8 counts of a dance routine. Because if you try to c-walk on a treadmill you will fall on your face.

2. I think I have a food allergy, but I'm scared to find out what it is. I love food too much to cut anything out of my diet at the moment.

3. I have a strange obsession with smelling things. Once while I was in line at the grocery store, I touched my ear and then smelled my fingers. My Mom told me later there was a guy behind me checking me out, and I'm pretty sure he changed his mind after he saw that. This explains why I have a big nose.

4. I need to be hugged frequently. If it's been awhile, I sometimes feel compelled to hug strangers. I haven't yet...

5. I lose nearly everything my Husband buys me.

6. I still love Britney Spears and understand her crazy.

7. I accidentally bought waterproof mascara recently. Instead of just buying another tube of the regular stuff, I bought some makeup remover...and then under eye cream because I have to rub so hard to get the stuff off I'm getting wrinkles.

Okay, you can stop reading now. Is anyone even here anymore?

Mmm...bacon candle

David Burke's Primehouse in Chicago has created an edible bacon fat candle. The candle is made of rendered bacon fat with a vegetable base wick. Simply light the candle, and drip the smokey bacon fat over salad or steaks to finish off your dish.

Hmm...what do you think about that? Stocking stuffers?

Want one for yourself? You can order them at (312) 660-6000, $5 plus shipping and handling.

A rainy beach weekend

We headed to the beach for a long {rainy} weekend. Lots of windy, wet walks on the beach. Which led to lots of long afternoon naps.

Issy in her element

Action shot!

We watched a bald eagle fly low over us.
Then we suspected it might be hunting Charlie

Lots of seafoam. The dogs looked like poodles after romping in the surf

Me showing you how windy it is...I guess you had to be there.

Proof Issy is part demon

Feeling the wind in his ears

Bryan found himself a buoy

On this walk, the sun was out when we started. Then the clouds rolled in and the rain and wind picked up. Charlie wasn't on a leash and he took off up someone's stairs to get off the beach.

Good to know he's for himself in an emergency situation!

Me taking a turn with the buoy

We didn't know if we would stay until Sunday so we had an early Valentine's Day dinner at Newmans at 988 in Cannon Beach.

Bryan had Medallions of Beef

I had Lobster Ravioli with Marsala Cream Sauce

We shared a Chocolate Hazelnut Tart for dessert. I ate most of it...

And on the last day... sun.

We didn't do gifts, but I got Bryan some fudge from Bruce's Candy Kitchen, and he got me this chocolate scotty from Belle Pastry.

We came home Sunday night and had a V-Day Pho' and did some grocery shopping. We ARE romance. Monday we did a hike with the dogs in the beautiful sunshine. It really was a great weekend.

I hope yours was too!