im a sucker for a good wedding video

it's true. I love love love wedding videos. But i am probably the pickiest person when it comes to them as well. The biggest thing I am looking for is to feel moved by the video and also that it is beautifully shot. It needs to tell a story, a love story. And this week i stumbled upon a video that did just that. It's more of an emotional video but I just love that you can tell this couple truly whole heartedly loves each other. The video was done by stillmotion and its absolutely beautiful. So happy Wedding Wednesday!

Hope you enjoyed it! Have a simply wonderful Wednesday!

another social network!?!

Because apparently keeping your facebook, twitter, and blogs up to date isn't enough. Now we are kicking in yet another social media site... google+. Now when i heard about this new "facebook" i thought..whhaaattt???...ANOTHER social network. Now granted there are far more networks out there other then fb and twitter. but they are expecting google+ to be the "new" facebook. And I'm just wondering how connected we all really need to be. People already know more about other peoples lives then we probably ever should know. And the hours spent browsing or "stalking" can now move up a few notches with this google+. Although the network is still in the invite only/ testing stages its numbers have grown excessively the last couple weeks. As of July 14th the numbers were at over 10 million..and according to numbers posted a couple days ago they are now at 18 million users. Wow. I of course was curious about this new network so i had a friend invite me and did a little reading on what this was all about. And surprisingly i was quite impressed with it!

Google + is built on the "circles" concept. Basically people can find you like any other network but when you go to confirm someone you categorize them into a "circle". You can have as many circles as you want. It basically makes it a lot easier to control who sees what and what information is shared. You can have a circle for family, co-workers, college friends or groups, and when you post a status or pictures you get to decide what "circle" will be able to view that information. It actually has some cool features that i think facebook is lacking. I think people are truly just curious about google+ right now hence the huge numbers but I think it might be awhile before we really see a shift in the popularity of facebook. facebook was a phenomenon that changed the world we live in regardless if we wanted it to or not. We now have the world at our finger tips. We don't seem to even know what the word privacy is anymore. Anyways...I was definitely skeptical of google+ to begin with but after a little research and actually looking into it..i like it...i like the concept..so come join me on google+ and join my circles :)

Hope you have a simply wonderful Tuesday.

talk about productive

This was a great weekend full of fun and some productiveness! What more could you want! Here is what I did...

Friday night I headed up to Portland to be reunited with some great old friends from high

school. The three of us hadn't hung out together in..well..probably years....so it was great to sit down over a cocktail and catch up and reminise over the good ole days :) It's crazy

how so much can change and yet stay exactly the same. And it's an evening that needs to be repeated sooner then a couple years.

Saturday I was in Salem and got some quality mamma time. Always good. She is the best mom ever. She had my two dresses and skirt all hemed and hanging for me to take back with me :) Gotta love a talented mom.

The rest of the day consisted of actually being somewhat productive around the house. I started my taunting task of cleaning my room (don't judge my horrible messy closet). I always spend my time cleaning the rest of the house...so my room is always at the bottom of the cleaning list.. And not even just cleaning but going through everything and organizing... and in the midst of this i decided that i really wanted to re decorate my room. Not totally change everything but i want something different above my bed..ive had the same look since the dorm rooms...uhh yeah..time for a change. I have a vision in mind but might take me another weekend to complete the look. But trust me it's going to be super cute :)

I felt like after a day of cleaning i deserved a cocktail so I met up with some friends and did just that. Nothing like a gin and tonic with extra extra lime to end the day with.

Sunday I attempted to be productive but it was hard to find motivation to keep going all day. But i did get a few things done and i did make it to a friends softball game. Nothing says summer like a softball game...at least to me...

And now somehow we are back to monday. And i have a feeling this week is not going to be a low key just gotta work kinda week...sigh...all well...i think im finally out of whatever funk i've been in and looking forward to a great and productive week...yeah..maybe you should talk to me at the end of the day...haha

Have a simply wonderful Monday.

mia

Wow...I don't even know where this week went but it's been one of thoooossseee weeks and between an ever increasing work load and just being plain old tired my blogging has suffered this week. So apologies for that. I obviously need to get my balance back in order. I plan on being back to normal next week! So for today i'll just leave some pictures of some pretty things because honestly who doesn't love the pretty things in life.

Happy Weekend everyone! Hope everyone has some summer fun!

have a simply wonderful friday.

Happy Birthday Becky!

Today is a dear friends 22nd Birthday :) Miss Becky Mae Colvin.

BEAutiful person inside and out. and soooo blessed to have her in my life. We have had so many good times together its not even funny. From low key movie nights to adventures out and about :) It has been amazing to see you grow up Becky! I remember so clearly you walking into my house your freshman year and now you are off to bigger and better things. And with you moving in two weeks I'm selfish and don't want you to leave me but I know you are about to embark on a wonderful new adventure and i now have the perfect reason to visit New Mexico. I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday filled with lots of love :)

Because mamma and definitely does :)

I love you honey!

Have a simply wonderful Monday!

I think more then ever I am ready for this weekend. I need a much needed mental break from this last week. Time to relax and re choose my attitude for this next week. Anyone else ever feel like this? Anyways.......time for the blanks. Link up over at The Little Things We Do.

1. I am a (morning, evening, middle of the day person) morning person for sure…there is nothing like starting the day off early and being productive. I can rarely sleep in but it is nice to stay in bed until 10 sometimes.. .

2. My favorite Pandora stations are Adele, Michael Buble, and Graham Colton.

3. 3 of my "must-have" songs for a road trip playlist are Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, bohemian Rhapsody, and Good Life (onerepublic).

4. My favorite pattern is oo I love graphic patterns and the damask pattern has always been a favorite…but lately I’ve been loving the floral as well..who doesn’t love a good pattern! .

5. My favorite perfume is Versace- Bright Crystal…LOVE!

6. Rules are there..and sometimes are followed but sometimes broken..life is about breaking the rules sometimes..or creating your own :)

7. My most overused phrase or punctuation is “I am Mortified” and I use “…” so much it’s not even funny .

Have a simply wonderful weekend!

a thursday thought

painting by Jack Vettriano

Sometimes life will come at you hard and you wonder what the heck is going on. It throws you a situation that you didn't think you would be in, or opens your eyes to something you weren't aware of. You have those moments when you begin to question. You know in your mind what you want to do and where you want to be..but it doesn't always happen the way it should...and i guess sometimes you just have to remember that you can create your own opportunities..that all this work and stress that life brings you can have the outcome you want..the outcome you were meant to have. everything takes time. timeing just becomes everything...So even when those roadblocks go up and get in your way or when those certain individuals try to hold you back you just keep going..and going..and going..i keep going... and eventually it all works out...it truly always does.

oh life...

I know this is nothing new to anyone...just a thought

have a simply thoughtful thursday

Wedding Wednsday

YAY! It's Wedding time! And today I am focusing on one specific wedding I saw over on Style Me Pretty! Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography captured this Connecticut Wedding absolutely perfectly. One of those you hate them because they are so cute, and their wedding is so perfect. I mean the wedding took place in Connecticut..its bound to be adorable. Anyways hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures as much as I did!

Are you as in love as I am? LOVE the bridesmaids dresses..and the groom tearing up... sigh.....beautiful...

Hope everyone has a simply wonderful Wednesday!

Recipe Time!

In my weekend of laziness I finally made it out into the world to do a few errands and make a stop at borders. I always love to graze the wedding and cookbook sections, but with wedding season at it's peak the selection was nothing i haven't already seen. As i picked out a couple cook books one stood out to me. Pretty Delicious by Candice Kumai. I am a sucker for a well designed cover. And how cute is this book?? Who wouldn't want it laying around in their kitchen. But so many of these cute cook books have little substance and great recipes in them. But this was the exception. There are so many great recipes I want to try! And to top things off its a healthy, penny pinching cookbook. Jackpot! Who doesn't want to eat healthier and save money?

Anyways one recipe stood out to me right away. And it was this Apricot chicken with Quinoa. For those of you who don't know what Quiona is. It is a grain like plant that is grown for its eatable seeds. And let me tell you it is amazing! It is light and fluffy and almost reminds you of couscous. You can find it at grocery stores like Trader Joes, Market of Choice, or Whole Foods.

Time for the good part! The FOOD! I ended up altering the recipe slightly because I made it for two not six. But I only altered the Pilaf and divided everything in two..except the basil and cranberries and i made the dressing like it suggested but didn't used all of. Really a preference on taste when it comes to that one. And it turned out great! It's a mix of different flavors that totally works together!

Apricot Chicken with Quinoa- Almond Pilaf
Feeds about 4-6 People

Marinade.
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons of Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine ingredients and add 2 pounds of chicken (it calls for thighs but i had some chicken breasts laying around so i used that and it was just as good) to marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour or overnight.

Pilaf
- 1 12 oz box of Quinoa- about 2 cups
- 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 finally chopped basil leaves
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds

- Place quinoa in a large bowl cover with cold water then drain through a fine mesh sieve. Place the quinoa and chicken broth and 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the liquid, 12 to 15 minutes. Scrape the quinoa into a large bowl. Whisk the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper together in a medium bowl. Add the cranberries and basil to the quinoa and toss to coat.

-For the almonds you can either bake them or toast them dry over the stove over Medium heat. Toast them until golden brown.


-To finish pile the quinoa on a plate top with chicken and sprinkle almonds on top! (okay not the best picture..ill work on my food pics)

And Enjoy! Hope everyone will try this! Super easy, super good, and good for you!

Hope you have a simply wonderful Tuesday!

a lazy weekend

sometimes just what you need is to do nothing at all. And that is exactly what i did this weekend. A nice change from the running around the world of last weekend. I had a wonderfully lazy saturday that consisted of.....

Project Runway Season 3.

Some Hammock time.

And ended the day with a going away dinner and drinks for a good friend.

heart you laura ann :) gonna miss you

Sunday was also a pretty lazy

Slept in did a couple of errands and spent some good quality at borders. And got a great new cookbook! It's safe to say that I am already pretty much obsessed with it. I came home and definitely made one of the recipes for dinner. Apricot chicken with Quinoa-Almond Pilaf....umm Delish! I'll def be sharing the recipe with you guys later this week!

We also watched Tangled. Pretty darn cute movie. I was happy with it :) Disney does it again! And we got some good ole Mandy Moore songs haha

The night ended with me finally fulfilling my craving for a chewy chocolate chip cookie. :)

via.

Not a bad weekend at all. Hope everyone else enjoyed theirs!

Have a simply wonderful Monday...or as wonderful Monday's can be.

i heart short weeks

Wow...its friday? Trust me I am SO OK with it being Friday but this week just flew by! Things were a little but hectic at work and I have a feeling things will be getting a lot more hectic for me..but I like it when I'm busy so I'm kind of excited! :)

Anyways its time for the Friday Routine here....Link up your blanks over at
The Little Things We Do!

1. My plans this summer include work, work and hey guess what!? More work…trying to make the best of my weekends and the great summer nights..i’m sure it won’t be too horrible working my summer away...

2. The best summer I ever had was hmm..the summers before I started working..when I could stay home and sleep in..layout and hangout with friends all day..yep those were the good old days.

3. Summer is bbqs, popsicles, summer drives, beach, ice cream, lake, passion tea lemonade.

4. My favorite summer food is hmm some good bbq chicken and bbq corn on the cob..berries..oo and apple pie ice cream!

5. The best way to quench a summer thirst is a great gin and tonic with lots of lime! This is also my go to drink every time of the year! but Mojitos are also a great summer drink

6. My summer uniform consists of skirts, and more skirts and this summer I’ve been way more into summer dresses..something nice and cool and cute of course!

7. The best thing about summer is it reminds you of the simple things in life, the beauty of the world around us, and bringing everyone together for those fun summer nights.

Hope everyone has a great weekend full of fun summer activities!
Have a simply wonderful Friday!

you know what day it is!

With my love for weddings its no surprise that I can spend hours just looking at wedding blogs and websites, and more recently looking into wedding associations. Ever since my little flower class I took I've been wanting to get more involved in the social world of events and weddings, and maybe take some workshops and seminars along the way. As I started to look into what was available I came across The Wedding Planning Institute. And the exciting thing about them is that they offer courses that end with a certification test at the end of the 10 week program. Basically wedding and event coordinating school. Something that I have looked into before but this program has by far blown the other ones out of the water. And something I am really looking into. I'm blessed to know what I want to do with my life so it's exciting to think about taking steps toward that.

Anyways... here is another one of my favorite wedding films from Joe Simon Films. This was the video that made me fall in love with this company! Enjoy!

Kristin + Justin's Wedding Highlights - W Hotel Dallas, Texas from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

Have a simply Wonderful Wednesday!

now that was a great weekend!

5 days. 683 miles. great friends. perfect weekend.

I love long weekends. And even though I didn't take any extra time off I was still driving all around oregon this weekend. It was relaxing, busy, and fun to do something different and celebrate the holiday.

We started the weekend off by heading to Eugene so my roomie could purchase a hammock. She has been talking about this hammock for weeks so it was exciting to finally get it! As soon as we got home it was set up with in 15 minutes...wasting no time to be swaying in a hammock as the sun was setting.

Saturday was spent being productive and lazy..after some house work we did some errands and i picked up these lovely Gerber's from trader joe's. Gotta love 4.99 gorgeous flowers. This pictures doesn't do them justice. But i promise they are pretty. The rest of the day was full of laying out in the sun, dinner and movie night with the girls. Perfection.

Sunday we headed to Silver Creek Falls for the day. We picnicked and walked over to the first fall..and in my opinion the most beautiful. Always fun to be able to walk behind it.

We ended up stopping in Salem before heading off to our next adventure at the beach. We stopped at the famous Fruit Stand that makes the BEST milkshakes ever. Fresh strawberries in mine. yummm

Then it was off to Seaside!!! It was absolutely beautiful along the coast. Not a cloud in the sky...a little breezy but nice and warm.

It was a great low key evening and I discovered a new favorite bottled beverage... Bacardi Mojitos! Delish and not to sweet like those other bottled drinks.

Monday we hit the little strip of outlets then headed to the beach. Very breezy on Monday. All well still nice to be out on the beach.

On our way home we stopped at this lookout point..how pretty is the coast line!! I decided i need a beach house with this view.

My partner in crime this weekend! She was always busy taking pictures. My little photographer!

When we finally got home 683 miles later my day ended in the hammock. I went to watch the fireworks show corvallis puts on and sadly it wasn't anything spectacular but still fun.

I wish all weekends could be as exciting as this one! And of course all 3 day weekends :)

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!!

Have a simply wonderful Tuesday.