sand, stripes and pastries

Don't mind me.....I am just hanging out on Cloud 9 today.

It's warm here, my toes are in the sand and I'm devouring soft, stinky cheese and crusty bread.

Mike and I are venturing in and out of markets and sipping delicious wines.
I wear the cutest high-waisted shorts
as I ride on my adorable little bicycle full of flowers, wine and fresh fruits.

Two of the cutest toddlers I know are laughing, singing and dancing with me.
I am in paradise.

Ugh summer of 2013.. are you here yet?

We've just booked a trip to Normandy in this cute little abode

and hopefully we'll get to see this cute little family

I am seriously dying with excitement.. and I have over a year to wait? UGH!

for those of you that don't know.. this is my sister and her family
they live in germany

I am {slightly} obsessed with them

they are beyond inspiring, fun and loving

their love of Christ and obedience is amazing

they inspire me to be better, stronger, more passionate

they laugh as a family

they play as a family
they pray as a family

they know how to live life to the fullest

while always glorifying God

Now about my niece and nephew.. I'll have to do a whole separate post
{of incredible cute-ness.. you seriously have no idea}

Sofia is the coolest girl on the planet.

One day, she is going to make an AMAZING woman of God.

She is hilarious, smart, sweet.

I could squeeze her to pieces if she would let me.

Levi is the cuddliest, cutest baby boy.

I want to eat him up every time I hear him or see him.
He is so snuggly, warm and precious!

I can't wait to watch him grow up into a strong, loving father like his own.

I am already starting the countdown until summer 2013. That is just way too long to wait.
Especially for the girl that always opened Christmas presents and rewrapped them.
Patience is not a gift of mine..
at... all

Perhaps, picking out {dream} outfits will ease the waiting period:

vive la france by charrigo featuring strappy heels

Have you been to Normandy? Fav spots? Foods?

I love recommendations :)

Jigsaw crew neck top
£45 - jigsaw-online.com

Flat front shorts
$70 - topshop.com

Seychelles strappy heels
$70 - dsw.com

Givenchy summer handbag
€630 - lindestore.com

Kate Spade chain jewelry
$99 - katespade.com

Michael Kors face jewelry
£200 - harveynichols.com

Kate spade sunglasses
$128 - piperlime.gap.com

Forever 21 brim straw hat
$15 - forever21.com

off-grid

no cell phone

no internet

two whole days - off the grid.

Mike and I escaped this weekend to a little B&B cabin, Fiddler's Roost, in VA mountains.

Each morning we woke up to a delicious breakfast brought to our doorstep,

shared long chats over cups of coffee {yes we are back to our evil-before-detox ways},

sunk deep into a steamy hot tub as it snowed around us

drank a bottle of wine over scrabble

read books in front of the fireplace

snuggled thoughtless.

Time slips away. Monday comes, and we are already chasing away the week. We are baffled when Monday shows its face again one week later and it seems like night hasn't yet struck. Where does the time go? Why are we chasing away our days? Why are we running on to the next task/thing on our list/activity/trip before even savoring the now? Time is passing us by.

This weekend the world slowed down. A minute felt like a minute. A kiss could be tasted, felt. 

This weekend we sat for hours with nothing on our mind except the now. Don't get me wrong.. there were a few chats about how we needed to buy a mountain house and our kids should grow up in a more relaxed environment like this with chickens, cows and 20 dogs. However, the majority of the time was spent feeling the bite in the air, savoring a piece of chocolate mousse pie, holding hands and remaining thoughtless. 

For someone that always has 50 things planned in her head and is moving on to the next task before the one at hand is finished, I NEVER thought I would be satisfied in this state of mind. But, boy, was I.

It was a perfect weekend. 

they delivered breakfast each morning to our doorstep. Once you were finished, you just stuck it on the porch for them to pick up. Perfection.

If you can't tell by the sugary goodness - it was delish!

Our little living area. We spent most of the time in the hot tub on the porch and in front of the fireplace. 

Lazy bones, we were. 

We saw our first snow of the year.

The sweet, sweet owners left us a valentine and sweets in with our breakfast quiche. Looking for a romantic getaway or a place to hide with your honey, run here.

How often do you enjoy the now? Are you planning your next move before finishing your last?

Do you want to sell me your mountain house for an incredible steal? We're down for the purchase ;).

fairy tale

stolen from my favorite blog Fairy Tales are True



Already have the fallin' in love part down.. but what I would give to do the rest.

crusty breads, amazing wines, olives, cheeses, yummy pastries..

oh, what I would give right now to be on an extended European vacation.