I'm happy it's Friday, let's flashback shall we?

Remember yesterday when I said my SIL at In a Yellow House tagged me for a Happiness Award? She must have known I was struggling for happiness yesterday. Now let's attempt to find some things to be happy about together. Yes? Yes. I'm not a pessimist quit whispering behind my back!

Happiness is...


1. Ma Familia




Old, new and crazy. Just the way I like them.




2. My friends





Old, new and crazy also!



3. My sweet little Nephew and furry babies





4. When my Husband smiles in photos






5. Getting flowers at Pike Place Market.




And receiving them...hint hint



6. Dancing in the kitchen






7. Traveling





Gelato in Florence...especially Nutella and pistachio gelato. You can tell I had a lot on that trip!




Enjoying a cafe with my Grandma in Geneva



8. Seeing what Charlie can balance on





stacked end tables?




A ladder?




Bryan?



9. Tired dogs







10. Christmas!




Please excuse our Charlie Brown Christmas tree.



And there are 10 things (with flashback photos) that make me happy.



Now to tag 5 bloggers to play along (only if you want!) What makes you happy?

Diana at Oh for Joy

Alecia at Yellow Peony

Mandy at Philip.Mandy.Bennett

Vanessa at This & That

Krysten at After 'I Do'

Ikat for your boobs

I got a Happy 101 award from my SIL over at In a Yellow House! I just got back from yoga though, it is late and I'm having a hard time finding things I'm happy about. So tomorrow we will tend to this okay? Thanks Chelsea!

So yes, I'm back at hot yoga getting ready for swim suit season. Would you believe I only put my bathing suit on once last year to mow the lawn? It's true. But this year I'll be ready. Now that my posterior has shrunk a bit, I can move from full coverage bottoms that make me look like an 80 year old, yes I'm talking to you JCrew, to something a little more young and fresh. I mean ,I'm going to be 30 soon, might as well live it up! Which normally doesn't mean baring my cheeks. We'll see.

I found this cute ikat one from American Eagle.

I might have to cut the ropes off. String bikinis make me feel like something is crawling on my leg.

Even though I just bad mouthed their full coverage bottoms, I like this one from JCrew.

Although these bottoms don't seem to have enough coverage. I can't win.

I feel like I should mention that blogging when exhausted and dehydrated is comparable to blogging while drunk. For me anyway.

First dance songs, what's your pick?

I've had weddings on the brain lately. I've been scoping photos and ideas lately for a friend so I've been thinking about everything weddings involve . When I was walking to dogs in the rain and sun (the weather could not make up its mind) I was listening to Pandora and heard several songs that would make great 1st dance songs. Of course I don't remember what they were, but it got me thinking about the song that got away.

I was one of those controlling brides. Eww I know, they're such bitches aren't they? Oh wait. I'd say I got about 90% of the wedding I set out to achieve. One of the things I had to relinquish control of was our first dance. Bryan picked the song. It was "Lost in this Moment" by Big and Rich. Yes it was the same dudes that sang "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" why do you ask? He's a Cowboy at heart.

Anyway, the song I was pushing for was "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes.




I seriously love the video too. I can't remember why it was vetoed, but the Man needed to contribute and he did. Everyone was happy.

My second choice was "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan. Here's a pretty cover of it by Adele. I'd still pick the Bob Dylan version. I love his scratchy voice.





What is or will be your song?

DIY MacIntosh Dress

Remember when I bought this Spool 72 dress? Then I couldn't decide whether to keep the green, or get the red? Well I kept the green, but I still want it in red. Although I love the dress, I feel like a little girl in it. I'd like something with a little little more grown up drape. I need all the help I can get. Let's make one shall we?

via splendid *I had one from Gap for you onsale, sold out

via American Apparel

Oh she totally has that skinny thigh dancers pose I was talking about HERE.

Except she needs to turn out her left leg. Where do they find these models??

Ta da! Slightly different, sexied up MacIntosh Dress. And you didn't even have to sew.

You're welcome.

Little Si

Sunday Angela and I planned a hike to Franklin Falls. I insisted on driving, and on the way to the trailhead we hit snow. Then I didn't want to drive anymore. We decided to turn around and head to Little Si.





Snow on the way to Franklin Falls





Twilight-esque scenery (don't tell me you weren't thinking the same damn thing)





Charlie





Issy





Can you see the tiny rock climbers?





Angela helps me take a Christmas card photo...we didn't realize Bryan had fallen off the cliff. Kidding, he wasn't there





Issy mustache





Taking in the view




This guy wanted to take a picture of Angela and I, so I took a picture of him in his utilikilt





Blurry Angela, walks too fast for my iphone




What did you do this weekend?

Flashback Friday: How to cultivate a green thumb

I haven't shown you any pictures of my new flower beds yet, but let me tell you they are still pretty. The best part is, things are actually growing. I don't know if its because I'm watering this time or if its a result of our area seeing some rays lately.

We leveled and seeded our lawn last weekend and haven't let the dogs in the yard since. Try explaining to your dogs why they can't go in the backyard. Instead they're left to do their business on the small strip of grass next to the neighbors chicken coop. This is very hard for Charlie who is a private pooper and can't seem to get it done while the chickens look on.

The next project will be raised beds for our veggie garden. I'm hoping to not have to buy one tomato after July. We'll see how that goes.

I think if you want to be a good gardner, you have to start young. Younger than this apparently.

Look at that great garden my parents tended to. Dad, I used to hide my diary in the scarecrow...did you know that?

I'm in love with the mailman

Yesterday he left me a little package on my doorstep. Isn't that one of the greatest things to find? It was from McKenna of Make Memoirs. I won a giveaway of her favorite German things and she sent me a box of goodies!

Swedish Rye Bread (to be eaten with cheese and turkey breast), Chocolate wafer candies (chocolate and hazelnut), McKenna's favorite peppermint and black current tea, a box of blueberry vanilla tea and lavendar and chamomile.

Thank you McKenna! I've already had a few of the Milch Jumbo and Hazelnut wafers. Yum! Tastes a lot like Nutella. Can't wait to try the teas too!

In other chocolate and hazelnut news:

Tuesday Lauren and I planned a girl's night. We were going to have dinner and watch Coco before Chanel, but we lost one of our girl's and gained Jeff. It was still a girl's night, only without the Chanel. We watched Glee instead. I stuck with the French theme and made Beef Daube Provencal for dinner and for dessert... Nutella crepes. Okay I love the mailman and Nutella crepes.

Seattle Restaurant Week...are you going?

April 18-29th, over 100 restaurants in King County will feature three-course dinners for a mere $25! Included are places I've posted about in the past, Via Tribunali and Barking Frog. Some even have three-course lunches for $15. It's almost over so make your reservation today!

Check out this funny promo for Restaurant Week by Evado PR. Watch for the look on the Mariner Moose's face. Wait...I guess his expression never changes. Love it when Seattleites get together for FOOD!

filmed by Kids R Paramount

Find more information and see if your favoritre restaurant is on the list:

Evado PR

Seattle Times and Seattle Restaurant Week

To paint or not to paint...

I'm thinking of changing my living room color. We've been in our house so long now that we're just redo-ing projects anyway. What's one more? I love the color, but I'm going nowhere with it. I've been trying to figure out an accent color, and all I can come up with is black. Just like my wardrobe. I should have decorated, then painted. Note to self.

Yep, those are my unstyled shelves empty mantle and a bottle of no bite

I saw this room yesterday over at Caitlin Creer Interiors. I love the colors and textures. I finally put up some curtains from Ikea that I bought in um...November maybe? Now I want to rip them down and hang some bold stripes. Why can't I commit?

I love it!

all the good photos via Caitlin Creer Interiors

I should've married Al Gore

I can be scary when it comes to recycling sometimes. It's because of the Polar Bears. I know it drives my Husband nuts. I harp on him about drinking diet soda, so he drinks water...out of a bottle. Of course he recycles the bottles, but I'd like to avoid using them in the first place. I guess I have to pick my poison. Maybe I'll get these little glass numbers for around the house.

Sweets Water Bottles from Pottery Barn

Think it would fool him? I think I want one for beside my bed.

Flashback Friday: Indian Princesses

Speaking of teepees. I have slept in one before. Not one as fancy as yesterday's post, but definitely cooler. Remember all the amazing things my Dad can do? Well teepee building was his specialty too. Check it out!

The bedding isn't cowhide, but My Little Pony sleeping bags are just as classy

Hope you have a great weekend! More yardwork for us. Yay!

Staycation means within the State right?

Glad we agree. Okay Bryan...I'm ready for a little staycation in Yakima, WA. Sleep in teepees? Wine tour on horseback? Who wants to go to the Cherry Wood Bed Breakfast and Barn?













This photo reminds me of Lindsay Lohan and Dennis Quaid riding through the vinyard in the 1998 version of The Parent Trap. I love that movie!


Bryan I give you permission to wear a cowboy hat the entire weekend. When shall I book?

Stark White Baths

Okay maybe not stark white. Who enjoys using that much bleach? Not me. After posting white kitchens and white houses, my Sister said "what about white baths?" To which I replied, "I have a ton". Well it turned out be a lie. Here a few from my meager 'white bath collection'.

The question is....can you have a white bath, a white kitchen and a white house?

via Country Living

via Country Living

via The Inspired Room





via Country Living





via Chez Larssons flickr





via Decorology's flickr





via Decorology's flickr





via Decorology's flickr




via Decorology's flickr





no source...let me know if it's yours!

no source... ?

via Rosewood Cottage's flickr

via Rosenatti's flickr

And my absolute favorite...Kate Spade's bathroom

via Habitually Chic