HAPPINESS IS...

My Solo Birthday Getaway To Nita Lake Lodge

My birthday this year consisted of me by myself, behind the wheel of my MINI, listening to audiobooks and road-tripping up to Whistler, Canada for a solo 1-night stay at the ultra-luxurious Nita Lake Lodge. It was heavenly. Alone with my thoughts for 24-hours was something I hadn't had since the babe was born. As an introvert at heart, the idea sounded like total bliss. Hal was totally on board and agreed to keep Bowie at home - papa points! 

I arrived just before check-in which gave me ample time to tour the grounds. The lodge sits at the edge of a huge glacier-fed lake, which happened to be completely frozen over during my visit! I was tempted to walk out on the ice, but chickened out and stayed on the dock. Other brave guests ventured out on the lake at their own risk, even clearing an area to ice skate.

Inside was so warm and cozy. I nestled into a big leather sofa by the fire and ordered myself a cheese plate and celebratory glass of wine from Cure Lounge.

When I checked in to my suite, I was delighted to find an assortment of mini macaron chocolates and a sweet note welcoming me to the lodge. The room had a huge fireplace, a deep soaker tub and a big fluffy white bed that was calling my name the moment I stepped into the room. Can you believe that view of the lake? I made myself some hot tea and sat out on the private deck, taking in the winter wonderland around me.

Dinner at Aura Restaurant was to die for. I had the 3-course meal, starting with a winter beet medley with apples, followed by crispy brie cheese with grilled asparagus, and a chocolate peanut butter bar with popcorn gelato and peanut brittle for dessert. Yes, everything was just as incredible as it sounds.

My kundalini spa treatment that evening incorporated chakra and sound healing to realign some dormant energy around the spine. I walked out of there a new woman! And if the night wasn't perfect enough, a private soak in the outdoor rooftop hot tub sealed the deal. I tipped my head back into the water and floated in stillness while the huge full moon smiled down on me, just as it did on the night of my birth. 

I crashed hard the second I hit the sheets. Slept for a good 9 hours, plus another 1.5 hours of the snooze button. Don't even ask why I turned the snooze button on in the first place!  

The next morning, I FaceTimed my boys while eating brunch at Fix Cafe, replenishing myself with a green smoothie, butternut squash soup and a cranberry goat cheese salad. Note to self - return on a Friday night when the cafe turns into a fondue hut!

After check-out, I didn't want to leave just yet. So I borrowed a pair of snowshoes for a nature hike. There's a convenient lakeside trail that leads directly from the lodge to Whistler Village, but I was told it's a bit of a trek. So I hopped aboard a complimentary shuttle which dropped me off just beyond Whistler Blackcomb at a beautiful cross-country ski and snowshoe spot on the mountain. I had the trails all to myself! Absolutely breathtaking.

Words cannot describe how much this trip meant to me. As a physically and emotionally worn out mama of a 16-month old, I needed this getaway like nothing else. Nita Lake Lodge couldn't have done a better job at restoring my energy and refueling my spirit. I wish for every new mum to experience a similar solo escape. Your next birthday? Make it happen. You deserve it. 

 

 

This post is hosted by Nita Lake Lodge. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the hosts that keep Happiness Is running!

21 New Mama Must-Haves

 

I've been wanting to round up my favorite parenting resources for quite some time now. But of course, mama-ing got in the way. Now that Bowie is 16 months old (!!!), I figure now is as good of time as any to jot down the things, after much trial and error, that got me through that first crazy year. So here it is - the ultimate new mama survival guide.

1. Parasol Diapers:  We've finally settled on a good disposable eco-friendly diaper. First we tried Honest Company, but they were rough, didn't fit well and leaked in the middle of the night. Bamboo Nature diapers were much softer and worked well during the day, but we had to use a non-green overnight diaper which defeated the whole purpose. We even messed around with gDiapers and their flushable inserts, but they gave Bo the worst diaper rash he's ever had. Then Parasol came onto the scene and it was a match made in heaven. They are pillow soft, fit perfectly with a high back for blow-outs, and have cute (although limited) designs. We even wear them overnight! They're on the pricier side, but buying on an auto-ship subscription basis helps a lot. Get $20 off if you use this link.
2. Library Storytime:  I remember how difficult it was to get out of the house with a newborn. During those dark postnatal depression months, Hal used to make me promise him we'd leave home and do something - anything. Library storytimes saved the day. They got us going and kept us motivated. Bowie loved the books, the music, the toys and the other babies. I loved the escape and the new mama friends I made. Best of all, it was free! Seattle has multiple neighborhood storytimes to choose from, so we'd attend a different one 2-3 times a week, filling our schedule and keeping us busy. Not all public libraries allow you to take home board books without checking them out, but ours does and it's wonderful being able to refresh your stash of books without a looming due date deadline. (That's how I discovered the adorable Babylit Books shown above - a series of board books based on classic fiction). 
3. ChooMee Food Pouch Toppers:  I posted about these on Instagram, but these little colorful caps fit on top of any food pouch, including reusable ones filled with homemade purees, making it easier for babes to control the flow of their food. There is literally no mess to clean up afterward! Bowie also uses them as a teether, chewing on the tip when done eating. We only use food pouches for travel these days, but we still rely on these toppers and I always have a stash of them handy in my diaper bag. A truly genius product!
4. One Bad Mother Podcast:  A dear friend of mine introduced me to this podcast while pregnant. I listened a few times, but really couldn't get into it. Until I had a baby. Then it saved my life! I'm being dramatic, yes. But I don't know how I could have gotten through that first year, particularly the first 6 months, without Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn, the two ladies who run the podcast, who now feel like my best friends. They hold honest, raw and comical discussions, stories and interviews about the challenges of motherhood. Over the years, they've created an amazingly supportive community of mamas, empowering us to judge less and laugh more. Their motto is - you are doing a good job, something every new parent needs to hear as often as possible. I listened to them daily during my walks with Bowie. Start from the very beginning and work your way up to now! 
5. Nutribaby Babymov Baby Food Maker:  Not everyone wants (or has the time) to make their own baby food, but I got really excited about pureeing up healthy homemade fruits and veggies for my little guy. There are a ton of baby food makers on the market, but I chose this one for a few reasons. One, we didn't have a food processor or a good steamer, so this product solved that problem. Two, there are separate steam compartments so you can cook multiple ingredients at the same time. Three, it comes with a handy chart that tells you exactly how many minutes to steam each particular fruit or veggie, and an app with inventive puree recipes. Four, it also sterilizes and warms bottles and reheats frozen foods so you can avoid the microwave. Now that Bowie is done with purees, I can still use it for soups!
6. Water Wipes:  Best wipes around, hands down. Why? They are the purest. 99.9 percent water and a drop of grapefruit seed extract, a natural skin conditioner. Since they're void of chemicals, we use these for everything. Diaper changes, wiping hands and face at mealtimes, wiping runny noses. You can buy them in bulk on Amazon.
7. Coconut Oil / Calendula:  At 6 months, Bowie started getting eczema on his lower back. (FYI - the Honest Company's baby body wash was a huge trigger). So we started daily massages with coconut oil and calendula salve - doctor's orders! Must be nice, right? After a few weeks, the eczema cleared up and hasn't returned since. We still give him daily massages with just coconut oil, which I credit to his super soft skin. It also clears up occasional diaper rash in conjunction with calendula diaper cream.
8. Lillebaby Complete Airflow Carrier / Baby K'tan:  There are so many baby carriers out there to choose from, and honestly, these two were the only two I tried. But I did a ton of research and talked to a lot of moms about their preferences. I knew I didn't have the patience for an all-wrap style infant carrier, so Baby K'tan was the perfect compromise for the newborn days. It had a relatively easy learning curve and it kept Bowie happily snug as a bug up against my chest during walks. Although I joke that getting him out of the K'tan was like giving birth again! When he got too big for it, we switched to a structured carrier so Hal could wear him as well. I wanted one that could hold Bo in all directions - facing in, facing out, on my hip and on my back. It was between the Lillebaby and the Ergo 360. Lillebaby won in the end because I heard the Ergo got super hot, whereas the Lillebaby Airflow model is made with a soft breathable mesh fabric. In the beginning, I almost returned it because I couldn't figure out how to adjust the straps and belt for the perfect fit. But after a few weeks of trial and error, I got the hang. It's now crazy comfortable and we still use it to this day.
9. Baby Sleep Site Personalized Sleep Plans / Swaddle UP:  I shudder, thinking back to those first few weeks of sleep training. We used a gentle method, so it took way longer than it should have, but we couldn't have done it without some guidance. I learned about The Sleep Site from a friend, who used it for her kiddo. The results were positive, so I got a basic personalized sleep plan for Bowie. You enter some information about your babe and they email you a long (and I mean long) written out plan. If you pay more, you can ask specific questions, which would have been nice, but we were on a tight budget. We mostly adhered to the plan, but if you go this route, I would suggest you also follow your intuition and your baby's cues. They said we shouldn't nurse our baby to sleep, but sometimes this was the only way Bowie would relax enough to drift off on his own. Advice is always good, but at the end of the day, only you know your baby and what works for him/her. As for swaddles, we tried many - Aden + Anais, velcro SwaddleMe, and the Miracle Blanket. He would bust out of them all! The only one that kept him cozy and contained was the Love To Dream Swaddle UP, which allowed his arms to be up in a natural sleeping position instead of pinned to his body. 
10. Reversible Sun Bonnet:  I love babies in bonnets. Especially boys. We got so many compliments on Bowie's cotton tan and navy blue bonnet, I just had to share where I found it. I'm all about reversible baby clothing - two hats for the price of one! He wore it all spring and summer to protect his little bald head from the sun. And we got the all-white one to wear at a wedding. Because of the chin ties, it was the only hat he didn't yank off his head - perfect for the carrier. You can see him wearing it here, here and here.
11. Clothing from Facebook's Buy Nothing / Goodwill:  I would say that 95% of Bowie's clothes are pre-owned, from two main sources. One, Facebook's Buy Nothing group. Do you have one in your city? I didn't even know about it until I had a baby. It's an amazing online community composed of just the people in your neighborhood. When a person is ready to give something away, they list it as a gift on Facebook. If you're interested in the item, you add a comment. The owner does a drawing and selects a winner from those who commented. I've gotten so many amazing things this way. However, not all communities are created equal. I've heard stories of other neighborhoods that only post junk. I feel very fortunate that ours is a good one with a ton of parents giving away clothing their children have outgrown. The second source I use is Goodwill. I realize all cities are different, but our particular Goodwill is a goldmine! I'm constantly finding adorable items from Zara, H&M, Gap, TEA, Hanna Andersson and independent designers. Some cute vintage pieces as well. It helps to live in a metropolitan area, I suppose.
12. SnoofyBee Changing Pad:  Around the time Bowie had eczema, as soon as his diaper was off, he would reach down and scratch the living daylights out of his skin, drawing blood and making the eczema worse. So I was desperate to find something that kept his arms away. Lo and behold, I discovered the SnoofyBee changing pad, also jokingly known as the cone of shame! It has wings that velcro together at his belly, keeping his hands above the waist. You can attach a toy to the top, so babes can play with something while you're wiping their bum. It really worked and even though his eczema went away, we continued to use it for a good 6 months so he wouldn't try to grab his poo!
13. Parenting Books / French Kids Eat Everything:  I read more parenting books while pregnant than I did after having a baby, because who has the time to read as a new mom? But I did get a chance to read a couple books that I would highly recommend. French Kids Eat Everything is one of them, which gives a personal account of how an American family moved to France and transformed their young children's eating habits from picky to adventurous. Now that Bowie has started to voice his opinions on food, i.e. hurl perfectly good meals across the room, I was determined to figure out how to get him to eat everything I did. I learned some very good pointers and I'm already noticing a difference in his tastes. Another book that helped, especially now that Bowie has started throwing tantrums, is Raising Your Spirited Child - a guide for parents whose child is more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent and energetic. My parents laugh at me, because they think that description incorporates all children. I disagree. But even if that were the case, it doesn't hurt to learn some proven strategies for handling tough times with your toddler. It also provides parents with much needed emotional support. 
14. Prenatal Groups:  Hal and I were extremely fortunate to join an incredible prenatal group associated with our hospital's midwifery team. During pregnancy, we'd meet up once a week up until our births. During those sessions, couples would have their prenatal check-ups with a midwife while the rest of the group partook in a childbirth class, sharing stories and asking questions. Often after class, we'd walk to a nearby restaurant and have dinner. It was such a bonding experience, as we were all first-time parents, all due the same month. Strangely enough, we all gave birth early, so the final few classes we got to bring along our newborns to meet the rest of the group and share our birth stories! We've all remained friends to this day, and have regular baby playdates. I realize not all hospitals offer this program, but maybe there's something similar in your area? There are also PEPS groups you can join post-birth, which I believe is the next best thing. 
15. Fenugreek / Lactation Cookies:  Bowie and I had some major breastfeeding challenges in the beginning. I could dedicate a whole post to this. But in a nutshell, since Bowie was born prematurely, my milk took it's sweet time to arrive. When it did arrive, like many first-time mothers, I was stressed about my supply. Constant pumping helped. But my doctor also recommended Fenugreek capsules and I noticed a big difference in volume. My sis-in-law also brought over some incredibly tasty lactation cookies using brewer's yeast (the magic) and fennel seeds, which seemed to help as well. If not with milk production, it definitely helped my mood! Email me if you want the recipe. 
16. Tinybeans App:  One of my best friends, who had her son 6 months before mine, introduced me to the TinyBeans app. She would upload photos and video of her little guy and I would receive them via email every morning. I loved it so much, I started using it myself, enabling me to share special moments of Bowie's life with only close friends and family. This was perfect for me, as I really didn't care to overshare photos of my child on social media. It's also a great way to get images off your phone and assembled into an organized fashion with a calendar view. They've partnered with book printers, so you can easily make a photo book from the pictures you've already uploaded to the app - which is on my to-do list! 
17. Handmade Rompers:  The little bear face romper Bowie wore for his first birthday was included in the small percentage of clothing I've purchased at retail price - for a good reason. These soft and stretchy printed rompers are handmade by Nastya of Anchore Deep on Etsy. They're incredibly comfortable because there's no snaps at the crotch for diaper changes. The neck stretches and you simply pull it on and off over the hips. Bowie will mostly likely be able to wear his for an entire year, because the leg cuffs fold up and down. It's the perfect layering piece - under sweaters and boots in the fall and winter, and by itself with cuffs rolled up in the spring and summer. There's just something so cute about a kid in a romper. 
18. DIY Stain Remover:  When Bowie was born, I switched to non-toxic, all-natural laundry detergents for his sensitive skin. But unfortunately, they just didn't cut it when it came to poo stains! So Hal did some research and made a DIY concoction that really did the trick - equal parts dish soap (we use Mrs. Meyer's), baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. For really bad explosions, it helps to coat the stains with this solution, brush it into the fabric with an old toothbrush, and let it soak in water for awhile before starting the washing machine. So easy! 
19. Leather Moccasins:  They say leather moccasins are the best shoe for new walkers, because they can actually feel the ground beneath them, helping them balance. When Bowie started taking his first steps, I wanted a pair of Freshly Picked mocs. But $60 for a tiny pair of shoes they'll outgrow in a few months seemed rather absurd to me. I do love them and they're very well-made (we later got a pre-owned pair gifted to us via Buy Nothing). But I discovered Melanie of Starry Knight Design on Etsy who makes leather moccasins for less than half the price, with greater style variety, and the option of a waterproof rubber sole - a must in the soggy Northwest. They are very high quality and I've been recommending her shop to all my mama friends! 
20. One Duo Diaper Backpack:  We are big fans of diaper backpacks around here. We wanted one that was minimalist and unisex so Hal would feel comfortable carrying it around. And one that was stylish enough so that I didn't have to carry a separate purse for my own belongings. One Duo bags fit the bill and we've been enjoying ours ever since Bowie was born. Since then, they've made some really cool upgrades that I wish our bag had. Now it has a strap that turns it into a messenger bag, the top zipper has been redesigned for better accessibility, and it also comes with two clips to hang on your stroller. I might just have to trade ours in for the newer model! 
21. Flower Essences:  Have you heard of flower essences / remedies? In a nutshell, they're water-based solutions which contain the essential energies of flowers. Much like Reiki, they're an alternative method of healing used to overcome negative emotions and relieve blockages in the flow of human energy. I was gifted a starter set during my pregnancy and loved what they did for my mood and overall well-being. I continued to use them after giving birth and I truly believe they helped me get out of my postnatal funk. They are fascinating and I plan to write a separate, more detailed post on them soon. Stay tuned! 

     

I hope this list helps any new or expecting mamas out there. Feel free to share this post with anyone you know who might find it useful! 

Seaside Explorations

Our family recently took a little road trip to Seaside, Oregon to visit friends and give our little Bowie Ocean a chance to experience the Northwest surf. Normally the coast is rather cold and wet this time of year. But we were blessed with a glorious golden sun. A perfect day for Bo to practice his new walking skills and leave his tiny stumbling footprints in the sand. 

There's just something so inspiring about watching your child interact with the ocean for the very first time - so these photos are very special to me. Too sweet not to share.... 

 

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year celebration, my friends.  May 2017 bring you much love and happiness! 

 

Thistle Farms - Holiday Candle & Jewelry Giveaway!

In light of the current chaotic state of the world, I'm trying to focus on love this holiday season. The angels among us. The people who are working hard to make positive change. Thistle Farms is doing just that and I'm proud to be joining forces with them this week to give one of you a sweet little surprise in your mailbox.

Thistle Farms is a global community of women healing from trafficking, addiction and homelessness. The company employs more than 1500 female survivors, providing free housing, medical care, therapy, education and job training to make natural products that are good for the body and the earth. You may have seen some of their lovely handmade items at your local Whole Foods. Shopping for yourself or others becomes a whole lot more meaningful when you know with that every purchase you make, you are giving back to someone in need.

With the freezing cold temperatures this week, I've been staying warm in their beautiful handmade Himalayan naari shawl and cozying up with their three trees soy candle, which gives off the most amazing scent of fresh fir, cedarwood and spruce.

If you'd like a candle of your own, in addition to the gorgeous 18K gold dipped mother of pearl stud earrings above, hop on over to my Instagram where I'm hosting the giveaway.

The instructions are simple:

1. Follow me on Instagram
2. Leave a comment with your favorite holiday tradition
3. Leave a second comment tagging a friend 

I'll be announcing a winner a week from today, on Christmas Sunday, December 25th!  

 

This post is sponsored by Thistle Farms. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Our 2016 Holiday Cards From Tiny Prints

 

Happy holidays from Charlie Brown and his annoying unidentifiable grown-up companions! 

We came up with the Charlie Brown concept before Bowie was even born, funny enough. But he was too young last year to pull it off. We weren't even sure we'd have a bald, white baby. But low and behold... we did! It was on.

Except we didn't realize how challenging it would be to make a 14-month old pose, stay still and smile! Normally, Bowie is a total ham and we have no problem getting him to act like a trained monkey. Even with my parents dancing and making funny noises behind the camera, which normally does the trick, he was not having it. This is the ONLY good shot out of a gazillion before the meltdown. A pensive finger-biting Charlie Brown is better than no Charlie Brown! 

As for execution, Tiny Prints came to our rescue yet again. They have gobs of beautiful designs to choose from - but this year, we chose to upload our own with custom envelopes and matching striped liners. The recipient address printing made the entire process a piece of cake. And the giant personalized postage stamp of Bowie's sweet smile just had to be done. Everything arrived to our house a couple of days after I placed the order and amazingly, I got them out to friends and family two whole weeks before Christmas. That's a first!

Are you sending out cards this year? If you're still thinking about it... you've still got time!  

 

P.S. See our past holiday cards here - 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

 

This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Our Halloween Costumes - The Smashing Pumpkins

I used to be a little boy
So old in my shoes
And what I choose is my choice
What's a boy supposed to do?
The killer in me is the killer in you
My love, I send this smile over to you

 

What do you get when you put together a bald guy, an Asian dude and a blonde chick?  Our family!  Also... The Smashing Pumpkins! 

If you're fans of 90's rock - it couldn't have been a more perfect fit, am I right?  Working around our babe's bald-ish head, Bowie's the lead singer, Billy Corgan, Hal's the guitarist, James Iha, and I'm the female bassist, D'arcy. 

The costumes were fairly simple to put together and comfortable to wear - which is key with a 1-year old.  Our clothes were already ours, or found at a thrift shop.  Bowie's tiny metallic leggings we got off Amazon.  We made Billy Corgan's famous ZERO shirt with iron-on letters.  For props, we found some old Guitar Hero guitars at Goodwill and a toy guitar for Bowie.  Hal made the microphone out of a toilet paper roll and a ball of crumpled up tin foil.  Then with some rock star makeup and hair streaks, we were set!

Happy Halloween, friends!  What did you dress up as this year?  Do tell! 

P.S. I didn't post last year's costume since Bowie was super fresh and we were horribly sleep deprived.  But if you missed the post on Instagram... here it is.  And all our costumes prior!

Bowie's Wild One

My baby turned one on September 20th! What a whirlwind of emotions that came with this milestone. I was on the brink of tears the entire week prior.

At first, I wasn't going to host a big shindig, for a myriad of reasons. One-year old's won't remember. They might be fearful of all the people. And this is pretty much the only time you can get away with not throwing a birthday party for your child without feeling obligated to invite the entire daycare/preschool class.  But knowing myself, I knew I would always regret it. Mama was selfish because essentially, this party was for me. I kept a tiny person alive and well for an entire year. He thrived. He's happy. I'm so incredibly proud of myself. This is MY celebration. I'm going to invite all my friends, and dammit, there will be mimosas!

It also gave me a chance to exercise my relatively dormant creative brain. I got my craft on, designing the invitations, paper goods and favors.  Bear-themed, because our little cub growls like a bear - makes me giggle every time.

We had a good number of older children on the guest list, so I designed some scavenger hunt cards to keep them occupied.  I thought they'd be looking for the bear tracks all day, but as it turns out, a few kids actually found them - or so they said!

For favors, I made pom headbands (for kids and adults) with a sign that said: SAY CHEERS WITH BEAR EARS!

Using mini clothespins, we hung up photos of Bowie's first year on our backyard string lights. I got the square prints here.

Working around Bowie's nap schedule, we held the party in the morning, serving brunch and coffee.  We set up a waffle bar with a variety of toppings: butter, maple syrup, peanut butter, nutella, my mom's homemade applesauce and an assortment of berries. Of course, I always forget to put out something when entertaining - this time it was the bananas and whipped cream - oops. The challenge with waffles is to serve them so they stay hot. My parents were kind enough to be the designated chefs, making the waffles indoors and keep them warm in our oven so there would always be plenty on hand for hungry guests.

My sister-in-law, Akiko, who hosted my lovely baby shower, generously offered to make the cakes. One sugarless, eggless smash cake for Bowie (using this applesauce / banana recipe) and one chocolate bear-shaped cake for everyone else. Hal made the bear-claw cookies at 12 am the night before the party!

Bowie had a gang of raving little girl fans!

He had the cutest look of amusement on his face as we sang him happy birthday. And to our great surprise, he didn't want to ruin his smash cake! We had to dig in with our fingers and feed him by hand - so funny.

Despite threats of rain all week long (with no back-up plan), it turned out to be a perfect sunny fall day. Bowie felt the love. He was a little tired, since he only took a 30-minute nap before the party. But this kid rallies. After the guests left, my parents stayed to open gifts. Then we put the boy to bed where he napped for a good 2+ hours. And so did we!

PS. Big thanks to my amazing brother, who photographed the event so I could live in the moment!

 

{Images by Christopher Bachmann Photography}

Etsy Faves 20: Toy Story

 

My Bowie is at such a fun age.  At 7.5 months, he loves being on all fours, planking, and rocking in the crawl position, ready to take off.  And despite his small 5th percentile size, he feels like one solid muscle when I hold him - pushing against me to leap out of my arms and up the walls.  He's grabbing everything in sight and will spend a good chunk of time on the floor playing with toys these days.  Living in a 750 square foot tiny house doesn't leave much room for baby items.  And I've yet to buy him any myself, since he's been given hand-me-downs, vintage items that used to be mine, and a wooden gym lovingly built by my parents.  But that doesn't stop me from fawning over all the beautiful handmade toys and baby goods on Etsy.  Here are a few of my faves...

 

1. Polar Bear Mobile by Patricija
2. Modern Doll House by Milky Wood
3. ABC Paper Bag Toy Storage by Tellkiddo
4. Cloud Baby Gym by Haddon & Co
5. Wooden Monochrome Blocks by Happy Little Folks
6. Nelo Handmade Bunnies by Lelelerele
7. Teething Necklace by One Chew Three
8. Hand Printed Play Mat from Babee & Me

Thoughts 15 - Life After Giving Life

 

Hello loves.  Remember me?  I never intended to take such a long break from the blog, but my goodness, motherhood hit me like a ton of bricks.  And now that so much time has passed, where do I even start?

I actually started writing this post months ago, but the interweb gods decided to crash my browser, deleting everything I wrote, leaving me in a puddle of tears.  I took that as a sign to relax, take some pressure off, and focus on being a mama.  No one was sitting in front of their computer waiting for me to hit publish.  But still.  When you've been blogging regularly since 2009, it felt strange to not share my post-baby life with you.  Plus, I figured if those effortlessly stylish Instagram mamas with 4 home-schooled children could run a business and keep a blog going, why couldn't I pull it together?  Who ARE those women? 

Almost seven months have gone by since our little love was born.  Seven months!  The best and hardest seven months of my life.  And it may sound crazy to some, but I'm just NOW starting to see the light.  Just now starting to feel less anxious, more confident.  Less stressed, more appreciative. Just now feeling rested enough to actually convert thoughts into words - although I've still yet to sleep longer than 4 hours at a time since his birth.  Oy. 

 

Motherhood is a choice you make everyday, to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is...and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.

- Donna Ball

Shell-shocked is a good term to describe those first few months.  I was living in survival mode every second of the day, just trying to keep this tiny human alive.  With a preterm baby, we suffered through it all - daily doctor appointments, jaundice, breastfeeding challenges, low milk supply, hair-pulling colic, head shape and heart rate scares.  

Then came hormonal postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and sleep issues that are still working themselves out.  I will never forget counting down the seconds until Hal came home from work, so I could pass off the crying baby to cry in the shower alone.  

 

 

Through the blur, I wondered if I was alone or if other parents felt the same way I did - that everything involving our children was painful in some way. The emotions, whether they were joy, sorrow, love or pride, were so deep and sharp that in the end they left you raw, exposed and yes, in pain. The human heart was not designed to beat outside the human body and yet, each child represented just that - a parent's heart bared, beating forever outside its chest.

 

- Debra Ginsberg

 

While pregnant, I was so naive.  It's comical really, how naive.  You can imagine, you can read books and you can listen to other people's experiences, but I've learned you can't really prepare yourself because you have no idea what you're in for - what your particular baby will be like.  I foolishly assumed and hoped that since I'd had an easy pregnancy, I'd have an "easy" baby. Laughable, I know. 

Our sweet pea just so happens to be one of those "spirited" babies, persistent, dramatic and adorably demanding, pulling all theatrics to get what he wants the moment he wants it.  Sounds familiar - I shouldn't have been surprised.  He also has a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out) and fights sleep with everything he's got.  But at the same time, this kid is ridiculously happy and charming after a good snooze and a big meal.  Now that his personality is emerging more and more, I've noticed how remarkably expressive and goofy he is - we might have another performer on our hands.  And his eyes.  They are angelic.  He smile heals.  He is pure light and joy in physical form.  

 

We dance with the baby every night now, spinning round and round the kitchen.  DIzzying, this happiness.

- Jenny Offill, Dept. of Speculation

 

Now and again, when I awake to screams in the middle of the night, when I experience an overtired meltdown in public, when he hurts and there's nothing I can do to help.  During teething, shots, or a difficult developmental phase....  I wish the days, weeks, and months will end so I can sleep again.  So I can have time to myself.  So I can get back to work.  

But it was such a difficult path to get here, I've made a vow to stop wishing away the hours.  The days are long but the years are short, they say - which I never really understood until now.  There's a song that chokes me up every time I sing it to Bowie before bed: 

 

Where are you going, my little one, little one
Where are you going, my baby, my own.
Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four.
Turn around and you're a young man going out of the door.

 

This new life?  It's the real deal.  The lows make the highs even higher.  The joys brighter.  I thought I knew happiness before having a baby.  But my heart now explodes on a daily basis.  His smell, his skin, his squeals.  I laugh more than ever.  I live in the moment like I've never done before.  It's messy and monotonous, but oh so magical.  THIS, to me, is what happiness is. 

 

Babies are soft. Anyone looking at them can see the tender, fragile skin and know it for the rose-leaf softness that invites a finger's touch. But when you live with them and love them, you feel the softness going inward, the round-cheeked flesh wobbly as custard, the boneless splay of the tiny hands. Their joints are melted rubber, and even when you kiss them hard, in the passion of loving their existence, your lips sink down and seem never to find bone. Holding them against you, they melt and mold, as though they might at any moment flow back into your body.

- Diana Gabaldon

 

---

As for the future of this blog, to be honest I'm not quite sure.  I'd love to get back on my weekly schedule again.  If the babe ever naps in the crib or anywhere other than my arms, the carrier or the car seat, it might be possible.  But I'm not going to stress about it if I can't make that happen.  I DO know that I'll be using Instagram as a micro-blog, linking here when I have more photos to share or something to say that exceeds 150 characters.  So please find me (@shanrockeileen) to follow.  And I hope you'll sign up for my newsletter (see sidebar) to be notified when I do get a chance to post.  Thanks, friends.  For hanging in there.  For your comments, support, love and loyalty over the years.  ♥

 

Our 2015 Holiday Cards from Tiny Prints

 

Hey loves!  I'm still on maternity leave, but wanted to pop in real quick to send you some holiday cheer.  I've missed you!

The task of creating holiday cards with a newborn was daunting, to say the least.  But I was determined to make it happen for Bowie's first Christmas.  And since we didn't send out birth announcements, these do double duty.  We chose the Elm & Gray design from Tiny Prints. They're always a dream to work with, making the process as smooth as possible by printing our recipient addresses and providing personalized postage.  It doesn't get much easier than that.

We got some matching long john onesies, with Bowie's name stitched on his bum, and set up the tripod at a local Christmas tree farm.  Of course, it was pouring outside and the photoshoot almost didn't happen due to a catastrophic diaper explosion on Santa's lap earlier in the day, ruining his cute little outfit.  Bowie was amazingly chill, despite the chaos.  Torrential rains and powerful poos can't stop us!

Have a merry and magical holiday season, my friends.  I hope to be back to blogging on the regular in the very near future - I have so much to tell you about life these days.  As soon as I can get our little Bo to actually sleep in his crib for longer than 5 minutes! 

Sending you much love....

 

P.S. See our past holiday cards here - 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

 

This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Our Birth Story

Hello friends!  I've temporarily emerged from the baby cave to share with you our birth story.

Today was Bowie's due date, which I can't quite believe.  I often wonder what I'd be doing right now if he decided to arrive when he was supposed to, still content in the womb.  I have a romanticized vision of myself nesting around the house, sipping red raspberry leaf tea, reading a novel, having quiet conversations with baby before settling in for our 3rd nap of the day.  Or taking photos of our finished nursery nook, cleaning the house so guests can visit after the birth, packing our hospital bags with the utmost thought and care.  Maybe even some last minute pampering - a pedicure, massage, gentle yoga and long walks under orange October leaves. 

If anyone was NOT ready for their baby to arrive a whole month early, it was me!  But like all unexpected circumstances, it makes for a great story.  One that has taken me quite some time to sit down and write - let alone find the time between feedings to piece it all together for the blog.  It's long and detailed and a bit graphic, but I want to be able to look back on this 20 years from now and remember every single moment of the happiest day of our lives. 

On September 19th, we attended our friends' 80's-themed wedding reception in full costume.  I wore an oversized shoulder-padded blazer over a short sequined mini dress and nude nylons with crimped, teased hair.  Hal wore pegged jeans, suspenders down around his waist, and straightened his hair with a deep side part so it strategically fell over one eye.  We took a few awkward prom pics, danced to the Spazmatics (for as long as I could in 3-inch pointy pumps) and were sitting down for a rest when I felt a small gush in my underwear.  I excused myself to go to the restroom.  But the little gush turned into a larger one as I scurried across the dance floor - leaving a trail behind me!  This can't be my water, it just can't.  In the bathroom, I stripped down my pantyhose and gushed some more.  I texted Hal: "bring my bag - I think my water broke!"

My heart was racing when we got in the car.  Is this really happening?  Panic set in as I listed off all the things we didn't get done.  The car seats weren't installed, the IKEA-hack dresser / changing table wasn't complete, our house was a complete disaster zone.  I lamented over all the business projects I didn't get a chance to finish.  And tears welled up in my eyes when I thought about the maternity photoshoot we would have to cancel.  Hal convinced me to not jump to conclusions and call the hospital for advice.  So I left them a message and we waited for a response.

At home, I continued to gush on the toilet when our midwife called me back.  Even though I wasn't feeling contractions, she wanted us to come in to make sure it was indeed my amniotic fluid that was leaking.  If not, she'd send us back home.  But if it was, she said GET READY TO HAVE A BABY TONIGHT!  Gulp.  Hal relayed the information to my parents and our doula.  I hung up the phone and began to cry.  Please be a false alarm.  Please be a false alarm!

Racing around the house in a packing frenzy, I grabbed the smallest set of newborn pajamas I could find and searched for something to wear myself when I realized I hadn't done laundry!  Disgusted, I threw some dirty clothes into the bag and tried not to think about the cute birthing outfit, robe, socks and other hospital "essentials" I was planning to acquire later that week.  I hadn't even emailed the Birth Preferences worksheet to our midwives yet.  So I printed out a few copies to give to the staff upon arrival. 

After a nervous 10-minute drive to the hospital, we were escorted to the very last birthing room available.  Apparently, everyone in Seattle was having a baby that night!  We'd been told just one day prior that they're rarely at full capacity.  I couldn't help but wonder what big celestial event was going on to warrant so many babies being born.  As it turned out, that weekend fell smack dab in between the two September eclipses, hmmm.  The nurses hooked my belly up to the monitor and ran a few tests.  They concluded that the fluid was definitely amniotic, as suspected.  This is really happening.

Around 10pm, our midwife came in and explained that labor would need to start very soon, because there's a high risk for infection after your water breaks.  She gave us time alone in the room to see if the contractions would start naturally.  If they didn't, she recommended Pitocin to get the ball rolling.  I wanted a drug-free birth with no interventions, so that wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear.  Hal put on some Nina Simone as I paced the room, waiting for contractions to start.  Every now and then, I'd feel some mild cramping, which Hal started timing.  Later, he told me that it was hard to take me seriously walking around with my crimped 80's hair! 

Since I was 4-weeks early, the baby monitor had to stay permanently strapped to my belly throughout the entire labor.  And it wasn't cordless - so I had to haul it around like a purse everywhere I went, even in the shower or tub.  I remember getting tangled up in it often.  Highly annoying and itchy, but I grew to appreciate it later on as it showed the peaks of my contractions and let us know that the baby was okay. 

My parents arrived around this time, but I wasn't in the best of moods.  I was worried about the potential complications of a preterm birth.  Would our baby be fully developed?  Would he have to stay in the NICU?  Already, nothing seemed to be going as planned.  Which is laughable really.  Because if you've ever given birth, or know someone who has, you'll know it very rarely does.  Maybe it was the daily positive conditioning from my Hypnobabies tracks, but not once did I consider how I'd react if the birthing experience was anything other than what I imagined.  Hal took me for a walk around the hospital halls to get my head straight and put things into perspective.  Accept what is.  Let whatever happens happen.  And focus on what's important - bringing our beautiful boy into the world.

And that's when I decided to stop letting my fears ruin the experience, as they were no doubt inhibiting my body from doing what it was supposed to.  Around 1am, the midwife checked in on us, suggesting Pitocin yet again.  I refused, knowing deep down that my baby would come when he was ready.  She offered to give us a few more hours.  Perfect.  

We set out my mom's crystals, diffused some lavender essential oil, and settled in for the night.  Hal on the couch, my mom in the rocking chair, and me in the bed with headphones listening to my Hypnobabies tracks.  The threat of being induced motivated me.  I remember silently talking to our baby, begging him to make his move sooner rather than later.

He must have heard me.  The mild cramping became stronger, waking me up from a light sleep.  Around 5am, active labor had officially begun!  Hal called our doula, Vivianne, to let her know it was time.  She arrived soon after and helped me with the breast pump because nipple stimulation is a great way to speed things up.  I remember being intimidated by the breast pump, not knowing what to expect - my nipples are extremely sensitive!  But it wasn't so bad, just a strange and slightly irritating sensation.  After a while on the pump, my contractions were definitely getting stronger.

First I labored in a semi-squatting position on the bed. They placed a handrail near the foot of the bed so I could hold onto it during contractions.  There was a giant mound of pillows behind my back to lean back on in between.  This felt good for early labor, but the constant squatting eventually got to me.

One thing I wasn't expecting was the shakes!  My adrenaline was so pumped up, I shivered during most of early labor.  I felt like a newborn fawn whenever I tried to walk to the bathroom to relieve myself.  The nurse kept taking my temperature to make sure I wasn't getting a fever.  

We tried a few other positions to get comfortable.  One was standing up and holding onto Hal for support, but I wasn't having it.  I felt a strong urge to sit down and lean forward during the pain.  Someone brought in a birthing ball for me to sit on.  This felt wonderful.  During contractions, I'd lean into a pile of pillows on the bed, rotating my hips on the ball.

Around this time, I started to get in a good groove with my support team.  Vivianne was right beside me during each contraction, telling me when they were almost over.  My mom and Hal took turns placing cold washcloths over my neck and bringing me water to sip through a straw with occasional bites of applesauce.  They gave me so much positive encouragement, telling me how strong I was, how proud they were.  This was invaluable. 

When your water breaks, they try not to check your cervix too often to eliminate the risk of infection.  But after awhile, I got curious about my dilation.  It felt like I was laboring intensely for quite some time - I had to be pretty far along.  I requested a check and to my extreme disappointment, I was only 4 cm.  I remember looking at Hal with tears in my eyes, not knowing how I could continue laboring for another 6 cm.

Someone suggested a shower to relieve some pain.  I was ready to try anything.  I stripped down and sat on a stool in the shower stall while Hal sprayed hot water on my back.  It felt wonderful.  But that was short-lived.  The shower stall was tiny and I was beginning to feel claustrophobic.

After the shower, we found another good position to labor in.  I sat on the foot of the bed and leaned into the birthing ball during contractions, which I noticed were coming less frequently.  I welcomed this break, as I was able to lean back on pillows and fall asleep in between the pressure waves.  I always knew my expert narcoleptic sleeping skills would come in handy!  However, it was a strange sensation because I wouldn't exactly call it sleep.  I was in a beautiful, spiritual space - peaceful beyond words.  That place you go in deep meditation, almost out of body.  

The nurses came in to check on us, as they noticed the contractions getting further and further apart.  We were regressing.  If they didn't start speeding up in the next hour, they would need to start inducing.  Again, the threat of Pitocin revved me up.  I played Hypnobabies again using one headphone earbud, while listening to thunderstorms, ocean waves and singing bowls (ASoftMurmur.com) on our bluetooth speaker.  At the same time, Vivianne did acupressure on my hands and feet.  Almost immediately, my contractions sped up.

This is when things start to get a little foggy.  The pain was SO intense with very short breaks in between.  As soon as one contraction ended, another one began with no time to relax.  I remember getting into a powerful rhythmic rocking movement with the birthing ball, swaying from side to side, while Hal and my mom switched off rubbing my lower back.  All my concentration was on the breath.

At one point, I felt a major urge to poo.  They told me that was a good sign - that the baby has dropped.  So they checked my cervix and I was 7 cm.  Progress!  Soon the urge became more than an urge - I felt a strong NEED to push!  They told me not to, because I wasn't fully dilated.  Easier said than done.  Not pushing felt nearly impossible.  I surprised myself with loud, guttural grunts.  He wants to come out now!

Someone suggested the birthing tub, since water slowed things down for me earlier.  They would just need 15 minutes to get it ready.  During which time, Vivianne reminded me to focus on my breathing like never before.  If I broke concentration for even a millisecond, the urge to push overcame me and I'd be gasping for air.  Instinctively, I moved onto the bed on all fours when the nurses said the tub was ready.  The midwife decided to check my cervix one last time and amazingly, I had gone from 7 to 10 cm in those 15 minutes of tub preparation!  

She gave me the green light to push.  "You're having a baby!" she exclaimed.  And I hear Hal break down with emotion.  I never felt so much love for him as I did right then.  He grabbed my hand as I began to push.  And strangely enough, the act of pushing, although painful, was a huge relief from the struggle of not pushing.  In between contractions, I leaned back in child's pose to rest and muster up enough energy to push some more. 

Maybe 10 minutes had passed before I felt the sharp "ring of fire" during crowning.  But it was a temporary pain.  And before I knew it, our midwife asked me if I wanted to touch the head.  I reached down in between my legs and was amazed by how squishy it felt.  A few more final pushes and one primal roar... his head emerged!  Then his shoulders and body followed.  At 12:36 pm, OUR BABY WAS BORN! 

I flipped onto my back as they brought him to rest on my belly.  Our sweet beautiful boy.  He was warm and familiar.  Extra alert, taking in the world.  We immediately locked eyes, through tears, communicating love without words.  That moment will stay with me forever. 

After delivering the placenta, my mom cut the umbilical cord after it stopped pulsing and they brought him up to rest on my chest.  Hal and I laughed and cried together, marveling over this perfect tiny being we created.  Those long fingers, big ears and wispy blonde hair!  I had a very minor vaginal tear that was stitched up while holding him my arms.  But I was too busy cuddling our babe to care.

When asked his name, I initially told the nurses we hadn't yet decided between the two we were considering.  We wanted to wait and see what he looked like.  But Hal said he knew.  And with that, so did I.  Bowie Ocean was introduced to the world.

Thinking back on this day, I feel empowered and proud.  I trusted and surrendered to my body and my baby.  I found a strength in myself I never knew existed.  And despite his surprise early arrival, we ended up having the birth I had imagined after all - relatively short (7 hours), unmedicated and uncomplicated.  Although weighing only 5 lbs, 14 oz, he was healthy and we were released from the hospital in 24 hours.  I feel so very fortunate.   

Bowie, if you're reading this one day - you've made your Papa and I the happiest we've been.  Thank you for choosing us as parents and allowing us to experience this incomparable, indescribable, unconditional love. xo

 

{Images by Bella Baby Photography}

We Had A Baby!!!

My loves, he arrived!  Mr. Bowie Ocean O'Keefe, our little starman, decided to join us 4 weeks early, much to our surprise.  Teaching mama her first big lesson about surrendering.  Trusting life to unfold as it will.

He has papa's nose and feet.  My mouth, ears and hands.  His eyes are perhaps a beautiful mix of us both.  For now, a dark sea blue.

With a preterm baby, our world has become a foggy blur of feeding, sleeping, pumping, repeat.  Every 2 hours, until he gains the weight he needs.  I'll be taking a short maternity leave from the blog for a few weeks until I'm feeling more comfortable with the new schedule.  I hope to pop back in at some point to share our birth story before those special memories fade.  Would you like to hear how it went?  It begins like something out of a movie!

P.S.  If you want to stay in touch during this time, come say hello on Instagram. 

Etsy Faves 19: Cozy Fall

Can you feel the season changing where you are?  In Seattle, the temperatures have dropped about 10 degrees, the rains have arrived and the leaves are slowly starting to turn.  We finally closed the windows, turned on the heat, and although I'm still going barefoot in Birks (a pregnant woman's best friend), I'm officially ready for autumn's arrival.  Bring on the apple cider, cozy cardigans and scary movies!  

In honor of the first official day of Fall next week, I rounded up a few Etsy Faves to get you in the mood, no matter where you live...

1. Leather Fox Wallet by Small Queue
2. Pumpkin Harvest Soy Candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio
3. Chunky Knit Blanket by Ohhio
4. Golden Brass Oak Leaf Ring by Red Truck Designs
5. Leaf Rubber Stamp by Woodland Tale
6. Bridal Headpiece by DeLoop
7. Autumn Art Print by Sage Paper Co.
8. Vintage Leather Fringe Ankle Boots from Piece

 

PS.  7 more Fall inspiration posts pulled from the archives....

• Simple Fall Decor
• Maple Leaf Snack Bars
• 4 Things: Autumn's Arrival
• Leaves In The Mail
• Pumpkin Pie Popsicles
• DIY Bouquets of Autumn Leaves
• Caramel Filled Apples

The 52 Lists Project + Giveaway!

Fellow list-lovers, I'm excited to share with you my advanced copy of Moorea Seal's new book, The 52 Lists Project!  Inside you'll find 52 seasonally organized list prompts for weekly journal inspiration, beautifully photographed by Julia Manchik.  So proud of these gals - I know they worked really hard to make their first book a success.  It's truly a work of art!

I've been eagerly waiting to get my hands on a copy because I play a very tiny role in its production.  Okay well my fireplace plays a very tiny role!  If you turn to Page 41, you'll see my living room, wood pile and sheepskin rug sitting pretty for the camera.  Julia, whom I met at Aran Goyoaga's winter dinner last year, saw my fireplace on Instagram and asked to shoot it for Moorea's book.  So we spent a lovely winter afternoon building a fire and styling the perfect shot for 52 Lists.  It's so fun seeing it published in a book!

Are you a list maker?  I have around 5 lists always going on at once.  Daily to-dos, career goals, groceries, house projects, you name it.  Crossing something off - best feeling ever!  But what I love about this book - it's less about getting stuff done and more about self-reflection and introspection.  To give you an idea, here are the list prompts for fall:

• List all of your favorite things about fall.
• List your top twenty mood-boosting songs.
• List the things that make you feel peaceful.
• List your favorite meals and treats.
• List the words that warm your spirit.
• List the things that make up your ideal holiday season.
• List your greatest comforts.
• List the things you are grateful for.
• List the things you want to add to your life.
• List your favorite books.
• List your accomplishments.
• List the things that you want to be known for.
• List the most memorable moments of your year.

It's almost too pretty to write in, but I can't wait to dirty up this journal on a quiet evening at home with a hot cup of tea.  Instant happiness.

Would you like your own copy of The 52 Lists Project?  We're giving one away this week!  Just follow the instructions below and a winner will be selected on Thursday, September 17th at midnight PST.

Good luck, loves!

 

UPDATE:  Congrats to Allison Salzman - you're the randomly selected winner! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Baby Shower & Mother Blessing

Weeks later, I'm still basking in the glow of my baby shower and mother blessing.  Would you like to see photos?

My sister-in-law, Akiko, kindly offered to host it on their newly renovated rooftop deck with an impressive view of the Seattle skyline.  I expressed to her my wishes for a more intimate, less traditional affair.  So we decided on an evening moonlit dinner to beat the August heat.  And the invitations from Minted perfectly suited the vision.

To keep with the celestial theme, my mom asked the ladies who couldn't attend to record themselves on a free phone app singing a lullaby or reciting a bedtime story.  The final playlist turned out so sweet!  I've been serenading Baby so he can get to know his aunties' voices before he arrives.

Lucky for me, Akiko is a top notch amateur chef!  She created the most mouth-watering "moonlight Mediterranean" spread.  And since she knows how much I enjoy design details, she let me create personal watercolor menus and place cards for each guest.

My mom brought gorgeous dahlia arrangements from Bea's, a local flower farm in Gig Harbor.  Remember them from our wedding?

I also wanted to make favors for my guests.  And what girl doesn't love candles?  I glued beautiful raw moonstones to the top of each candle with a tag describing the powers of the gem, which they could later remove and use as they wish.

On the second candle tag, there was a poem:

Light this special candle
Once labor has begun.
Send your love through candle flame,
As Shannon greets her son.

 

Moonlight Mediterranean Menu:

COCKTAIL:

Blueberry Lavender Vodka Spritzer / Blueberry Lavender Water

TAPAS:

Hummus platter with dips, olives, veggies, pita
Grilled haloumi with seasonal fruit with balsamic drizzle
Phyllo triangles filled with spinach and feta
Roasted vegetable orzo pasta
Marinated mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes on grilled ciabatta
Grilled feta wrapped in grape leaves with rosemary honey

DESSSERT:

Dates sautéed in olive oil and vanilla over greek yogurt
Pistachio-walnut orange blossom baklava "cigars"
White nectarine gelato

 

What a feast, right?  Everything was just incredible!

And what mama-to-be wouldn't want to wear a flower crown on her special day?

After gifts had been opened and the sun went down, the candles were lit and the mother blessing began.  Have you heard of a Blessingway?  It's an ancient Navajo ritual created to celebrate a woman's rite of passage into motherhood.  We decided to have one In lieu of traditional shower games.  Each guest was invited to share a poem, passage, prayer or positive personal birth story to inspire and encourage me before I give birth.

As each lady went around the circle, they were also asked to select their favorite moonstone beads from a glass goblet and string them onto a thread to create a mala necklace/bracelet for me to wear around my wrist during labor.  If you're unfamiliar, malas are usually comprised of 108 beads, a very sacred number according to many Eastern religions.  They can be powerful tools used in meditation to keep one mindful, grounded and present, transform consciousness and overall well-being.  Although we had some technical difficulties getting the needle through the beads (I'll be finishing the mala on my own!), the sentiment was there.  And I have my girls' collective energy to support and empower me spiritually and emotionally during birth.

Happy tears were shed.  It was definitely a meaningful way to end the night.  I felt so loved, honored and radiant as they gave me the strength and confidence to embark on this life altering journey into motherhood.

Thank you to all the sweet souls who put their heart and energy into making my shower so memorable!

Four Things 18: Picnic Perfect

 

Four Things to inspire a picnic with your loves before summer winds down (sniff).  Where are your favorite places to picnic?  The lake?  A park?  The beach?  A boat?  Your living room?  :)   

 

1. A Sunny Afternoon Picnic Basket
2. Harriott Grace Wooden Cheese Board
3. Pendleton Blanket with Leather Carrier
4. French Baguette Wrap Printable

 

Plus 6 more picnic posts to please.....

• Pretty Purple Picnic Wraps
• A Forest Picnic
• Savoring Summer
• The New Modern Picnic Table
• Eco-Friendly Picnic Boxes
• Table In A Bag

 

A picnic is more than eating a meal, it is a pleasurable state of mind.

-DeeDee Stovel

 

A Brief But Beautiful Babymoon in British Columbia

This is the year of road trips.  First there was the Washington coast.  Then Northeast Oregon.  Now beautiful British Columbia!  We packed up our bags for a quickie babymoon adventure over the border into Canada, through Vancouver, and straight up the Sunshine Coast.  

Our first destination was Rockwater Secret Cove Resort....     

We walked through an elevated forest boardwalk to reach our special tree house tent overlooking the Pacific.  Talk about a luxury glamping experience!  Our suite had a giant pillow top bed - the kind that pulls you in and holds you captive.  With a color hydrotherapy jetted tub, a cozy gas fireplace with heated floors, gorgeous shoji screen doors, and private deck lounge chairs I immediately put to use.  We both agreed we could live here permanently.    

The entire property is magical.  Had we stayed longer, we would have taken one of their kayaks out for a paddle.  I did however manage to squeeze in a relaxing prenatal massage along the water's edge.  With the sun warming my skin and the waves gently lapping at the shore, I dozed off and woke up with a puddle of drool on the pillow.  It definitely made my body forget it sat in the car for 6 hours straight just prior.    

After a blissful night in our tree house, we woke up slow, sipped hot tea on our veranda, ate a peaceful breakfast at their restaurant and hit the road.  Someone please have a destination wedding here!  Can you imagine?

Ferries.  They're romantic for sure.  And the most scenic way to cross the Northwest channels - especially when you're on a motorcycle.  But only if you manage to catch them on time!  We had to take two ferries to get to our next destination on Vancouver Island and while the first one worked out flawlessly, the the second one was a bit of a nightmare.  We sat for 6 hours in line waiting to board, missing 3 departures all together and wasting an entire day at the ferry terminal.  This was a Monday!  Turns out there was a huge music festival that weekend and people were returning home.  I made a mental note to avoid this for next time.

Sadly we didn't arrive at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort until around 10pm.  It was dark and the restaurant was closed.  But the hotel staff surprised us with a glorious cheese and fruit platter in our personal fridge!  Which naturally made my night as I popped juicy strawberries and brie wedges into my mouth while marinating in our suite's jetted tub.

And the next morning, shortly after sunrise, I opened the curtains to THIS! 

Can you believe that view?  That deck itself is as large as the entire first floor of our house, no joke.  We spent the early morning hours watching the beach-goers below dig for crabs, build sandcastles and fly kites.  We couldn't wait to join them.  

But first - a fabulous breakfast at Cedars Restaurant and a dip in the infamous Grotto Mineral Pool.  After your soak, you go upstairs for endless tapas, exclusively served to robed spa guests only!  Anywhere that encourages fancy dining in bathrobes is where I want to be.    

Feeling fully rejuvenated, we spent the remainder of afternoon at the beach frolicking around the eternal low tide.

One night just wasn't enough, so I've decided to return for our next family trip.  Although we stayed in their fancier oceanfront suite, the grounds have a distinct campground feel with cozy log cabins sprinkled throughout the property.  Kids rode bikes through the woods and families enjoyed bonfires on the beach.  They even have entertaining recreation programs for little ones and a very special Vacay It Forward charity initiative that I'd love to support.  

The drive home was pretty and pleasant as we made our way south through Victoria, boarding another ferry into the States just as the sun sunk below the horizon.  We were quiet and reflective.  Appreciating these last moments together as a family of two.  And anticipating future adventures as a soon-to-be family of three.   

 

This post is sponsored by Rockwater Secret Cove Resort and Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

My Baby Shower Invites From Minted

My baby shower is this weekend and my sister-in-law is hosting a lovely intimate rooftop dinner party.  I'm so excited to spend some quality time with my favorite local ladies underneath the stars.

To match the shower's lullaby-theme, Minted provided us with a beautiful set of invitations that I've been eager to share with you here on the blog.  Aren't they the sweetest?

I've admired Minted's stationary, paper products and home goods for awhile - but never got a chance to order from them until now.  We ultimately chose the customizable celestial invite set designed by artist, Grace Kreinbrink.  They came with free recipient addressing and matching fonts, envelopes, liners and thank you cards.  The entire process was made as simple as possible for mailing - we couldn't have been more pleased!

Do you like how they turned out?  I had such a good experience with Minted, I hope to order from them in the future for baby announcements, holiday cards, art prints, you name it.  Since they only work with the very best independent designers, I know they'll have something that matches with my aesthetic. And I love being able to support my fellow artists.

In the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some other fun details from the baby shower - stay tuned!


This post is sponsored by Minted. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Second Trimester Field Notes

Now that I'm 29 weeks into my pregnancy, I thought it'd be a good time to jot down my memories of months 4, 5 and 6.  (Read about months 1, 2 and 3 here).  A lot has happened in the second trimester and I don't want to forget a single moment!

BODY CHANGES:

1.  A noticeably bigger belly every week!  This never gets old.

2.  Wider hips and larger breasts.  I'm officially a curvy woman and I love every inch of my extra cushioning.  Bring on the low-cut body-hugging dresses! 

3.  Less greasy hair.  I've noticed that I don't need to shampoo as often as I did before.  I have very fine hair that usually needs a good wash every other day.  Now, I can go a long time without sudsing up.  Although I found this out the hard way - our hot water heater was out of order for longer than I care to admit.

4.  Dry flaky skin on my face.  The one annoying thing.  It's been difficult finding a pregnancy-safe product that actually hydrates my skin and facial oils weren't cutting it.  This lotion has worked the best so far, but I have to slather it on twice a day, in addition to coconut oil a few times a week.  On the upside, I haven't had to worry about breakouts or blotting excess shine.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS:

1.  Fatigue:  So strange, because everyone told me that the second trimester would give me a huge boost of energy.  I'm still waiting for that boost as we speak.  It's really hard to make it through a day without a power nap.  Or a good lazy lounge on the couch.  This has affected my productivity majorly over the last few months, which bums me out.  I know I shouldn't, but I often feel guilty for resting.  For not accomplishing more during the remaining days of peace and quiet.  Then I tell my evil inner voice to lay off - I am growing a human inside my body for goodness sake!

2.  Joint pain:  My knees are not used to the extra weight.  They creak and ache like I'm 80 years old.  And sometimes after a walk, or while I'm washing dishes, I'll get shin splints - what's with that?

3.  Swollen feet and ankles:  There were a few days where my feet looked like marshmallows!  It wasn't painful - just hilarious.  I wish I took a picture, because they reminded me of pudgy baby feet.  Hal and I got a good giggle.

CRAVINGS & DIET:

In the first 2 months of my second trimester, I ate a ton of fruit, berries and granola.  Until I was told I have gestational diabetes!  Yep, I failed the dreaded glucose test.  That was an emotional day.  I was in complete denial because my ego couldn't fathom how it was possible that I - a healthy eater, a regular exerciser, and a life-long vegetarian, could develop diabetes?  After meeting with a GD counselor, I learned it has nothing to do with eating habits and everything to do with hormones in the placenta that block my natural insulin.  So I should stop feeling guilty because there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.  Phew!  If not controlled, the extra sugar goes directly to the baby and he runs the risk of becoming overly large (which leads to birth interventions, complications and c-sections) and both he and I have a higher chance of developing diabetes later in life.  Not cool.  

So what does this all mean?  I have to stab myself in the finger 4 times a day to monitor my blood sugar levels.  I have to limit my carbs and pair them with protein or healthy fats.  I have to spread out my food intake by eating 6 smaller meals as opposed to 3 larger ones.  Thankfully, after a 7-day trial period, my numbers were low enough to reduce the finger pricking to just twice a week and avoid insulin injections.  I still eat everything I want, just in smaller amounts with more strategic planning.  I even get to enjoy a bowl of full-fat ice cream as my night-time snack, as long as I pile protein-rich nuts on top!  So overall, gestational diabetes sucks.  But it's manageable and not the end of the world.    

EXERCISE:

1.  Daily walks.  I have a 20-30 minute route around my house that I absolutely adore.  It involves my neighborhood streets, a park, a stroll along the waterfront, and a slightly inclined wooded trail. 

2.  Prenatal yoga.  To save money, I've been practicing at home using Yogaglo.  Jo Tatsula's classes are the best.  I took her class in person when I lived in Santa Monica and her prenatal sessions are beautiful - more spiritually inclined, which I love.  She makes it all about the connection between you and baby.  I also started taking a class taught by my super talented friend, Summer Cushman - who recently came out with her own weekly audio-only class for $5 a month.  They're not specifically prenatal, but they're gentle and restorative.  Practicing without video is really special - more meditative and intuitive.

BOOKS:

Most of my reading was done during the first trimester - but here are a few more books I've enjoyed since ...

1. Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding
2. The Happiest Baby on the Block

CLASSES:

I started the HypnoBabies home study course last month.  It teaches you self-hypnosis methods to reduce fear during labor, create mental anesthesia, and provide a more comfortable birth experience.  I'm fully aware of the power of the mind and although I don't expect a pain-free delivery, I think this will give me another set of tools to mentally prepare.  The course is a lot of work - audio tracks, visualizations and meditations that need to be listened to every day.  There's even a CD you can use while you're pushing your baby out!  Which I'm not sure I'll be able to tolerate during the transition stage, but who knows?  I've heard great stories from mamas who took the program, including a doula we interviewed who is also an instructor.  She said her HypnoBabies mothers were much more calm and relaxed during birth.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

1. Feeling Baby move for the first time.  They started off as flutters, like butterflies.  But not knowing what to expect, I contributed it to gas!  Especially since my placenta is anterior (on the front wall of my uterus) and I was told I wouldn't feel his kicking until later in my pregnancy.  But right around 19-20 weeks, while in Santa Fe with my mom, I felt him move every day.  Mostly after meals.  It's truly the most extraordinary sensation in the world.       

2. The 20-week ultrasound.  It was 2.5 hours long!  Since my parents didn't have ultrasounds back in the day for me and my brother, I invited them to this appointment which was extra special.  Baby definitely has Hal's nose and feet!  The technician was able to account for all major body parts except for a few.  So she made me move around and try some yoga poses to see if he would change positions.  Nothing worked, so I had to return 2 weeks later!  He was chilling in a lotus position and wouldn't budge - deep meditation?   

3. When Baby kicks for friends and family.  This happened on our recent tipi camping trip.  Each of my girls got to feel him do a little dance.  And in my 6th month, the movements have become much stronger.  He kicked for my parents.  For my Reiki teacher during a treatment.  And for Hal when we lay together on the couch.  I love when people rest their hands on my belly.  I guess Baby must too!

4.  Hal admiring my belly.  There isn't just one moment that sticks out, but a collection of many.  The larger I get, the more in awe he becomes.  He's been such a sweet supporter of me throughout this pregnancy.  Telling me how good of a job I'm doing.  Loving my new body.  As my belly stretches and expands, he makes me feel very comfortable in my skin.  And as a hormonal woman going through so many physical changes, it feels wonderful to be marveled and adored by your man.

---

The second trimester has been mostly smooth sailing, despite the gestational diabetes diagnosis.  I never thought pregnancy would feel like a full-time job!  Especially since I have to monitor my diet so closely now.  That, on top of the exercise regime, HypnoBabies audio, prenatal appointments, house preparations, nesting, self-care routines and plain ol' exhaustion, it's a lot to handle.  And yes, I realize it's only going to get busier after Baby arrives! 

But I'm trying not to let it overwhelm.  There's just too much to look forward to.  I thank my lucky stars every day to have the opportunity to bring this little soul into the world. 

P.S.  If you missed my first pregnancy posts, you can find them here:

• The Big Announcement
• The Gender Reveal
• First Trimester Field Notes
• Thoughts on Becoming a Mother

 

Camping In Tipis With Friends

My college gal pals and I try our best to meet up for a travel adventure at least once a year.  First was Vancouver.  Then Charleston.  And this summer, over 4th of July weekend, our busy schedules miraculously aligned for our very first camping trip together.  Except this time, our men were invited too!

We live in different states and when deciding on a destination, I knew it'd be too late in my pregnancy to fly.  So my friends were kind enough to agree upon a location within driving distance from me.  Camping options in the Pacific Northwest are limitless - we could have camped anywhere.  But it had to be special.  It had to have TIPIS!

Somehow, I came across RimRock Inn, in rural Enterprise, Oregon - population 1,884.  Which seems as random as placing a finger down on a spinning globe.  And it sort of was.  But it was meant to be - this place is truly one-of-a-kind.

After a 7-hour drive from Seattle, we were thrilled to discover just how luxurious the tipis were inside.  More "glamping" than "camping" for sure - a huge relief to me and Baby.  Sleeping inside one was a real treat.  Each tipi was equipped with a fold out futon, Pendleton blankets, down pillows and high thread count sheets.  Stocked with drinking water, a battery powered lantern, a chiminea fireplace and a bundle of firewood.  We were completely off-the-grid, which was a nice change of pace.  However, an air conditioning unit would have been glorious - it was around 95-100 degrees that week!

FUN FACT - the tipis were made by the same guy who designed the ones in Dancing With Wolves.

Bathrooms and showers were just a short walk away in the lodge, which housed an incredible restaurant, microbrewery and wine bar.  One evening, we enjoyed a fabulous home-cooked local and organic meal on their deck overlooking the canyon.  And their hummingbirds and kittens came out to play!

We loved hanging out by the tipis at night as the temps cooled down - watching the full moon rise, reminiscing over old times, roasting marshmallows, playing games and thinking up ridiculous baby names (George Pedro was the unanimous favorite).  Baby was extra active and happy that trip, for good reason.  So much auntie love!

On the 4th of July, a patriotic photo shoot happened.  Naturally.  Then we packed a picnic for a relaxing day at nearby Wallowa Lake ....

The city's fireworks were nice, but Hal and I are used to setting off our own.  So we brought along some extra-long sparklers, roman candles and big-bang mortar shell fireworks (like the kind at our wedding) for some pyro fun after the sun went down.

It was definitely hard to say goodbye.  To this beautiful place.  To these beautiful people.  I'm so grateful we were able to come together, one last time before Baby arrives, to celebrate 15 years of friendship.  And cross one major item off our bucket list ....

Camping in tipis with friends - CHECK!


{Images by Shannon Eileen, Alissa English, Melanie Rozenblatt and Tiffany Shinn}

Thoughts 14: Becoming A Mother

As my belly grows bigger and the baby's kicks get stronger, my fears about becoming a mother weigh even heavier.  Since we tried so long to become parents, you'd think I would have prepared myself better - nope!  Although I'm one hundred percent ready for this stage of my life, I still worry about the inevitable changes about to happen in 3 short months...  eek!

 

In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.

- Myla Kabat-Zinn

 

I need at least 9 hours of sleep to function - how will I cope with middle-of-the-night feedings?  My businesses are just getting off the ground - how will I find time to grow them if I'm spending all my spare moments napping?  Hal and I barely scrape by on our own - how will we afford the additional expense of a child?  And breastfeeding - will my nipples fall off?  Our marriage - will we kill each other in our half-sleep states?  My friends - will I be able to hold adult conversations?  Our baby - will he be a terror?  Mostly I worry I'll lose myself.  My independence, my identity, my drive - those parts of me I've worked so hard over the years to develop.  

 

The most extraordinary thing about motherhood is finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without.

- Jodi Picoult

 

Of course, I realize that none of these questions can be answered with mere speculation.  Only by doing.  And to deal with the changes, I remind myself that nothing will necessarily be taken away.  Time, I suppose.  But I'm also gaining time with a new little person.  And a new family.  My priorities will shift, but I'm hoping in the best way imaginable.  Change is coming, faster than I imagined.  But I intensely look forward to the new adventure.  And what an adventure it will be!  

 

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten,
and the future worth living for. 

- Pablo Picasso

 

 

Etsy Faves 18: Summer Heat

We're hitting the 90's this week here in Seattle.  Which to southerners, may not sound like a big deal, but this pregnant girl doesn't do well with the heat!  Tomorrow, we escape our attic (roasting oven) bedroom for a tipi camping trip - where it's supposed to be even hotter!  But cooler at nights, so no complaints.  Is it warm where you are?

Stay cool, my loves.  Enjoy the summer-inspired Etsy Faves.  And have a safe and happy 4th of July!

1. Chocolate-Filled Clam Shells by Andie's Specialty Sweets
2. Lavender Linen Table Runner by Linen Tales
3. Polaroid Swimming Pool Greeting Card by Cassia Beck
4. Organic Lemon Mint Foot Scrub by Outrageously Organic
5. Patchwork Zip Pouch by Blackbird And The Owl
6. Long Fringe Necklace by EPUU
7. Sun and Daisies Art Print by The Wheatfield
8. Nature Study Photograph by Deelicious Photos

 

P.S.  4 more Independence Day inspiration....

• Stars & Stripes
• Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
• Fireworks
• Watermelon Mojito Pops

 

A Mother-Daughter Babymoon In Santa Fe - Part 2

Our New Mexico adventure continues!  If you missed Part 1, click here.

For the lunch on our third day, we enjoyed an outdoor meal at one of Santa Fe's historic eateries, Cowgirl Hall of Fame BBQ, where girls dressed in cut-offs, boots and hats served us chunky veggie chili with cactus-shaped cornbread, fajitas and an incredibly decadent beer-encrusted goat cheese stuffed chili pepper - as amazing as it sounds.  We loved the relaxed and friendly vibe here. 

While exploring the quaint and winding streets of downtown, it's impossible not to fall in love with the city's Pueblo-Spanish-cowboy culture, adobe architecture, turquoise doors, Native American jewelry, drying chile pepper ristras, artisan pottery, and the scents of piñon pine and juniper.  

We stopped by Santa Fe Spirits for some pre-dinner drinks, the city's premiere artisan distillery.  My mom sampled their award-winning whiskeys, gin, vodka and apple brandy, while I sipped a surprise-ingredient mocktail whipped up by the bartender just for me and baby.

The next day, we set off on a road trip to experience New Mexico's vast and scenic countryside.  But not without a stop at Santa Fe's big Saturday morning Farmer's Market held at the Railyard, where we admired their flowers, local produce and colorful craft booths. 

Our first stop outside the city was El Santuariò de Chimayó, a little adobe church 30 minutes north, for some holy dirt!  Locals have been known to walk for miles to worship there, carrying heavy crosses, seeking a cure for their afflictions.  Inside is a small prayer room with a hole in the ground filled with sacred reddish soil.  People have been known to rub it on their bodies, sprinkle it over their food or brew it in tea for healing purposes.  Legends say the hole is miraculously replenished by divine intervention - but we later learned that priests refill it with dirt from the surrounding mountains and even store-bought dirt - wah wah.

Holy or not - we love a good story and couldn't resist filling up a plastic baggie of our own to take home.  And I have to say, pregnancy aches and pains were non-existent on the flight home!  ;)

We planned on spending the entire afternoon in Taos, but we were underwhelmed with the town and left early to experience some relaxation at Ojo Caliente mineral springs resort, nestled in a valley west of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. 

Arriving just in time for dinner, we dined at their restaurant, The Artesian, known for its farm to table menu, using organic fruits, veggies and herbs grown on-site.  Chef Paul Novak wowed us with a mouth-watering grilled artichoke with garlic lemon aoili, the prettiest apple-piñon-feta salad (that matched my purple prickly-pear lemonade), enchiladas with handmade corn tortillas and a roasted vegetable chile relleno with quinoa piñon tamales.   

Guess how well we slept after that exquisite meal + an evening spa massage? 

We spent our final day lazing around, napping in hammocks and soaking in Ojo's natural hot springs - all deemed sacred by local Native American tribes.  Each of the 4 types of sulfur-free mineral waters are healing in different ways:

• Lithia - relieves depression
• Iron - benefits the immune system
• Soda - aids digestion
• Arsenic - helps with arthritis, stomach issues and skin conditions

We left Ojo feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for the long flight home.

It was beyond special being able to spend this quality time with my mom before baby arrives.  Especially in the Land of Enchantment.  New Mexico, you've captured our hearts.... all three of them.

This post is sponsored by Tourism Santa Fe and the above establishments. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

A Mother-Daughter Babymoon In Santa Fe - Part 1

For the past few years, my mom and I had been dreaming about taking a trip to New Mexico together while I was pregnant.  A mother-daughter babymoon, if you will.  With this year's successful pregnancy - we finally made it happen!  The timing couldn't have been more perfect.  Granted, I've never been to Santa Fe at any other time of the year, but the weather was divine - high 70's to low 80's with a slight breeze.  And I was far enough into the second trimester to feel nice and comfortable - with a little bump to boot!

We stayed in a spacious fireplace suite at Hotel Chimayó, an authentic boutique hotel just steps away from the historic Plaza in downtown Santa Fe.  We were immediately charmed by it's central location, New Mexican decor, local artwork, and the generous welcome basket of locally made caramel corn, chocolates and complimentary drink vouchers. 

After unpacking, we toasted to our good fortune with virgin margaritas in the adjoining Low 'n Slow Lowrider Bar and introduced ourselves, quite accidentally, to the HEAT of New Mexican chiles at a hidden local hot spot called The Shed.  When asked if we wanted red or green chile sauce on our enchiladas, we chose "Christmas", a combination of the two.  Little did we know we were in for a sweat-inducing, water-guzzling surprise!  Those chiles pack a punch.  And now that I'm back home, I've been craving them ever since. 

Fun Fact #1 - did you know chile peppers actually release endorphins? 

The next morning, we ate breakfast at Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen - which we'd never have found if it weren't for John, our new friend at Tourism Santa Fe who helped us plan our entire itinerary.  This place is a real gem.  The owners are devoted to nourishing their community with healthy, organic, sustainable and locally sourced foods.  One of my latest pregnancy cravings has been granola - and I fell hard for their homemade version with sprouted buckwheat, pumpkin seeds, goji berries and coconut in sugar-free almond milk.  Best granola of my life, I'd say.  There were so many veggie options on the menu, we would have been perfectly happy eating there daily.

With so much history, art and culture - museums were first on our agenda.  A good place to start is Museum Hill, where you can kill 4 birds with one stone.  We chose the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art, stopping to admire cacti and other desert beauties at the nearby Santa Fe Botanical Garden.

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum was my top priority, which happened to be within walking distance from our hotel.  She's known for her flowers, yes.  But I was strangely attracted to the monochrome abstract watercolors.  And how cool are her art supplies?  I love that they put her used paintbrushes and pastels on display.

Fun Fact #2 - Did you know there's a strong possibility that Ms. O'Keeffe and I may be related by marriage?  :)

We ended our second night with a scenic drive through the high mountain desert landscape for dinner at The Four Season's Terra.  The best meal of our lives - no joke.  Chef Andrew Cooper absolutely nailed the vegetarian tasting menu, giving us a colorful assortment of creative and inventive dishes.  It was only supposed to be 5-courses - he added a 6th just for us!

TASTING MENU:

1. Creamy Artichoke Soup w/ Onion Jam, Candied Lemon, Crispy Artichoke;  
2. Melon and Burrata Salad - Garden Vegetables, White Balsamic Vinaigrette;
3. Pan Seared Tofu Scallop w/ Carrot Puree, Pea Tendrils, Grapefruit Glaze;
4. Grilled Lemon & Asparagus Risotto - Farmers Market Vegetables, Balsamic Reduction;
5. Portobello Mushroom Steak - Truffle Spinach Puree, Red Wine Reduction;
6. Coffee Mouse, Chocolate Pudding, Lemon Sorbet and Cheesecake w/ Mango Salsa.

Baby was doing flips!

With full bellies and full hearts, my mom and I watched the sun go down, turning the entire desert sky into a brilliant shade of turquoise and orange.  Santa Fe, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Stay tuned for PART 2 ....

This post is sponsored by Tourism Santa Fe and the above establishments. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Four Things 17: Wigwam Wuv

For this month's Four Things, I'm going all teepee on ya.  For a very good reason.  This 4th of July, we'll be driving down to Oregon to meet up with our pals at a very special remote teepee campground!  Cannot wait.  Have you ever slept in a grown-up teepee?

1. Teepee Wedding Invitations
2. Indian Summer Teepee Pattern Design
3. Tooth Fairy Teepee Pillows
4. How To Make A Teepee
5. plus that really cute Teepee Rubber Stamp

 

P.S. 6 more fun teepee-related posts.....

• Wigwam Village Inn
• The Treepee
• A Teepee Bachelorette
• Illustrated Teepees
• Teepees For Cats
• Our Wedding Teepee

Photo Editing Magic With Foto Rx

The secret to beautiful photos?  A dreamy light-drenched white-walled studio, of course.  But if you're like me and only have access to a dark shadowy corner of the living room, despite all your best lighting intentions, you're reduced to fussing and fixing these images in post-production.  But I've finally found a ridiculously simple solution to those dark, dull photos.

Have you heard of Foto RX?  Michelle and Tristan, the lovely ladies over at Besotted, created a genius series of 33 Photoshop actions that take your photos from blah to awe with 2 or 3 simple clicks of your mouse.  They save me so much time!  Prior to using Foto RX, I would tinker around in Photoshop using Levels and Curves to brighten up my images - but the results took forever and weren't nearly as impressive.

As you can see from the before and after shots - there's a dramatic difference!  Foto RX allows you to color correct, eliminate shadows, spot lighten certain areas and paint on a whiter background - my favorite tool.  If you're an artist or Etsy shop owner, these photo fixes are an absolute must in order to present your products in a clean and modern way.  If needed, you can also paint on sharpness, blur the background and add a watermark logo.  Watch their video to see how these one-click wonders work.

To see other images I edited with Foto RX, check out this post, this post and this post.  Pretty magical, yeah?

P.S.  They've also just released a brand new series of Photoshop actions for my fellow letterers and calligraphers - Vitamin L25, which automatically digitizes and cleans up your work in a matter of seconds.  There's an entire Skillshare class devoted to digitizing calligraphy - it can be a long and tedious process indeed.  I can't wait get my hands on this tool next! 

 

Etsy Faves 17: Oh Baby!

Since we live in a tiny house, my desires for a separate baby nursery will have to wait.  If we can make it fit, we''ll be cramming a mini crib into a cluttered corner of our attic bedroom, with little to no room for baby furniture or other decor.  But that doesn't stop me from dreaming!

While curating this post, I found myself gravitating toward a warm neutral palette of grays, creams, golds and wood.  Theme-wise, I was attracted to both space and sea, galaxies and oceans, heavens and earth.  I'm hoping, with a little bit of creativity and strategic maneuvering, we'll still be able to transform our teeny alcove into a sweet and serene space for our baby boy to slumber underneath the stars.

1. Goodnight Cushion by Studio Meez
2. Felt Star Garland by The Butler Flying
3. Gold Wall Decals by Jesabi
4. Galaxy Bedding Set by Ndoto Textiles
5. Baby Bums Bottom Butter by Nourish & Nurture
6. Knit Romper by LalaKa
7. Sailboat Wall Hanging by Down Home Amy
8. Whale Stuffed Animal by Big Stuffed

 

P.S.  Keep an eye out for more goodies added to the Babes board over on my Happiness Is Etsy Page!

 

Our Road Trip To The Washington Coast

Three and a half hours from Seattle - you'll reach the Pacific coast.  To celebrate the anniversary of the day we met 13 years ago, Hal and I packed up our MINI and drove to Long Beach, Washington for the weekend.  The world's longest beach!

We stayed at Adrift Hotel, a hip (and dog-friendly) oceanfront spot that offers free beach cruisers, board games, dvds, and live music on weekends. We felt right at home with our fluffy king size bed, yummy EO organic bath products and sleek industrial modern design.

My folks joined us on the adventure since it happened to be my mom's birthday that weekend. Our prayers for sunshine came true, so we met up on Saturday morning to nab the complimentary bikes for an invigorating ride along Discovery Trail - an incredible 8.5 mile paved path that runs parallel to the ocean.  

One prerequisite for visiting Long Beach - bring a dog!  I'm pretty sure Hal and I were the only couple without one.  Thankfully, my parents brought their pup, Rudy, so we pretended he was ours for awhile as we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the sand.  As much as he loved the beach, he refused to go near the water, since my dad fell into the ocean with him the day prior.  How a grown man and leashed dog fall into an ocean is beyond me.  We couldn't stop laughing after hearing the story of the "giant wave" - if only my mom had captured it on camera!

After a quick trip into town for fudge, skee-ball and curiosity shop perusing, we had a lovely dinner at Pickled Fish, just down the hall from our room.  We were seated at a table with a gorgeous view and relished a huge plate of herb gnocchi with smoked whiskey butter, acorn squash and manchego.  

And no romantic evening would be complete without a sunset stroll along the beach, a riveting in-room game of Clue, and late night drinks - or in my case, non-alcoholic wine, aka grape juice.

It was a sweet little trip that ended too soon.  We can't wait to return when the weather is warmer. Maybe during the Long Beach sandcastle competition or kite festival.  Maybe next summer to watch our little one dip his toes in the ocean for the very first time.  Yes - I think so.

This post is sponsored by Adrift Hotel. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running! 

First Trimester Field Notes

 

My first baby bump!  Last week, I definitely popped.  It finally looks as though there's a genuine baby inside my belly, as opposed to a giant serving of pasta.  Granted, my abs are fully relaxed here.  Are you supposed to suck in?  I'm driving my mom crazy with this silly question.  All those years of pilates trained me to hold in my abs for good posture - and when I do, I can eliminate a full inch or two off my belly.  How on earth are you supposed to pose for these bump shots?  Mamas, please give me the scoop!

To document my growing belly, I decided to dust off our trusty Polaroid camera.  I love having instant physical snapshots to place inside my new pregnancy journal.  Hopefully I'll remember to keep at it each month.

I've gotten a lot of questions about how I'm feeling, so I thought it'd be fun to share my pregnancy experience so far.  Now that I'm 17 weeks along, the first trimester seems like ages ago.  But I'll do my best to remember...

BODY CHANGES:

Sore boobs!  This was actually my first inclination that I was pregnant.  It happened this way for the past two pregnancies, so I was definitely expecting that double line on the pee stick.  My breasts got fuller as well.  For the first time in my life, I finally fill out my bra!  My favorite pregnancy perk so far.

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS:

1.  Dizziness:  I found myself needing to hold onto someone or something every time I got up from a seated position.  At one point I almost fainted in public.  I thought this only happened to pregnant women in old movies! 

2.  Nausea:  Thankfully my nausea was bearable and mild, lasting only 2-3 weeks.  I quickly discovered that it only happened when my stomach was empty.  So I made a point to change my eating habits and snack throughout the day to avoid the bulk of it.

3.  Paresthesia:  My limbs kept falling asleep.  I had a scary experience one morning while getting out of bed.  I thew off the covers, placed my feet on the floor and THUD!  I fell to the ground.  Both my legs were completely numb - and I didn't even realize it.  Weird, right?  To this day, my arms still fall asleep when I place them on my belly lying on my back at night.  I didn't even know this was a pregnancy symptom.  Maybe it's not?

4.  The worst cold I've had in years:  Oh it was bad.  And it lingered around for weeks.  I'm pretty sure I went through 10 boxes of tissue.  I've heard that colds are super common in the first trimester, when your immune system is the weakest.

CRAVINGS:

Grapefruits and kumquats.  I couldn't get enough of that sweet-sour-bitter combo.  And sweets in general.  Hal teases me, since he's the one with the sweet tooth - yet there I was requesting cookies and milk at night.  Normally, I'm a savory gal and don't crave dessert.  But I often found myself making a cup of hot cocoa after dinner or indulging in something sweet at the end of the day.

AVERSIONS:

Garlic, onions and strong culinary herbs.  Bummer, right?  I'm a huge garlic lover.  I remember making myself a huge vat of mushroom soup - that I ended up giving away to my mom because I couldn't even eat one bowl.  I kept making (and wasting) elaborate garlic-induced meals until I got a clue.  And then I became bland and boring for awhile.

EXERCISE:

Long walks.  Hal and I love to take a lap around Green Lake - a people watcher's paradise.  Sadly, I stopped doing yoga during this time, partly because I was afraid I'd miscarry again.  Silly, I know.  But I wanted to take it easy until I knew for sure this baby was a keeper.

BOOKS:

I had a friend who picked up her first pregnancy book on the way to the hospital to deliver her baby!  I wish I could be that nonchalant and carefree - but I'm more the type to devour any and all information I can get my hands on.  I like to feel prepared!  I've already gone through quite a few books in the first trimester alone.  Here are some of my favorites...

1. Bringing Up Bebe
2. Windows To The Womb
3. The Gentle Birth Method
4. Spiritual Midwifery
5. Secrets of the Baby Whisperer
6. Birthing from Within
7. Spirit Babies
8. Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives

MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

1. Telling Hal I was pregnant.  Since this was our third pregnancy, it was sort of anti-climactic.  No gifts or clever surprises this time around.  Just the facts.  It went something like this:  Him:  I quit my job today.  Me:  Oh really?  Well I'm pregnant.  Perfect timing, huh?

2. The first ultrasound.  Because of my miscarriage history, I was able to make an appointment early on, around 5.5 weeks.  Hal was out of town, so I went in alone, prepared for more bad news.  But instead of an empty gestational sac, I saw an embryo with a tiny beating heart!  Something I never experienced with my last two pregnancies.  When the technician left the room, I broke down and cried.

3.  Reiki healing.  Soon after discovering I was pregnant, my mom and I attended our monthly Reiki circle, where local practitioners gather together to share experiences and give/receive Reiki.  When it was my turn for a treatment, our teacher gave me and my baby the most beautiful prayer and blessing.  After that session, I was glowing - feeling full of divine love and light.  And I'm positive baby felt the same.

4.  Sedona energy.  If you recall, I was lucky enough to visit Sedona with my girlfriends during the first trimester.  But when I wrote that post, I hadn't yet announced my pregnancy to the world.  So I wasn't able to talk about how special it was to sit together in meditation on an vortex... with a baby in my womb!  He was loving that special southwest spiritual energy.

5.  The gender reveal.  This story deserved an entire post of its own!

6. The second ultrasound.  After we found out we were having a boy, we had another ultrasound to double check the findings of our genetics test.  This one was incredible!  He was so big and active - touching his face, wiggling around, waving hello and bouncing up and down like a mexican jumping bean.  I couldn't stop laughing.  Baby's heart rate was 170, so Hal found the perfect a tune with a tempo to match - James Brown's I Feel Good.


Overall, the first trimester has been fairly easy breazy beautiful.  I know many ladies have polar opposite experiences, so I'm feeling pretty darn lucky.  I actually love being pregnant so far.  I'm sure it will get old quick - especially when I'm the size of the whale.  But for now, I'm savoring every miraculous moment.


P.S.  If you missed my first pregnancy posts, you can find them here:

• The big announcement
• The gender reveal

Everyday Moments of Joy + a $100 Giveaway

As a first-time mama-to-be, pregnancy has been an interesting endeavor.  I've been so consumed with creating life inside my body, I haven't had the energy or desire to create much else.  My art, my music, my writing - have all been placed on the back burner to collect dust.  Which is disheartening and nonsensical.  Because the act of creating beauty is exactly what keeps me feeling stimulated and alive, filling me with inner peace, stillness and reflection.  I've been viewing these activities as a chore, which is the last thing they are.  My creative pursuits are what bring me moments of joy.

And if you've read my post on self-care strategies, you'll know I'm a firm advocate of celebrating and savoring these moments.  Especially when life gets messy, challenging, or in my case... dramatically different!  As women, wives, mothers, daughters, friends - we're often pulled in many directions at once.  It's crucial to put our needs first during these times, and take a pause from our roles and responsibilities to reconnect with our spirit.  I truly believe it is vital to our well-being.

So here's how I took a moment for myself over the weekend...

First, I put on some Sade.  She sets the perfect mellow mood, always.  Then I arranged a sweet assortment of ranunculus blooms, dug out my art supplies, brewed a cup of herbal mint tea and opened up a bag of Pepperidge Farm® Milano® cookies.  Dark chocolate, of course.  There's nothing like fresh flowers, brush lettering, warm tea and a sweet treat to put me in my happy place.

Here are a few additional ways I like to take a moment for myself, indulging as many senses as possible...

• A hot steamy shower in the dark with candles and luxurious body wash;
• 10-15 minutes of meditation or self-reiki surrounded by healing crystals;
• Cuddling up on the sofa with a juicy novel and a warm pet;
• Savoring a massive cheese plate when I'm on my own for dinner;
• Learning a song on the ukulele, or writing an entirely new one;
• An energizing sunset walk around my neighborhood listening to my favorite playlist;
• One or two episodes of guilty-pleasure TV shows before bed.

How about you, loves?  Tell me how YOU take a much-needed moment for yourself. 

Leave your answer in a comment below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of my generous friends at Pepperidge Farm® Milano Cookies!


{Check out Pepperidge Farm® Milano® Cookies online: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter}

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/4/15 – 6/30/15.

Be sure to visit the Pepperidge Farm® Milano® Cookies brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

 

Thoughts 13: Gift From The Sea

 

Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—
waiting for a gift from the sea.

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

 

My family and I just returned from a beautiful weekend on the Washington coast. The ocean has such a calming and meditative effect on me.  During an inspiring evening stroll along the beach, I was reminded of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book, Gift From The Sea, wishing I had brought it along with me.  If you haven't yet discovered this little gem, I urge you to place it at the top of your list - something every woman should read.  My book club devoured it in a matter of hours.

It's a lyrical and thoughtful reflection on the life and challenges of the American woman in the mid-20th century, written during a brief solo vacation on a little island off the coast of Florida.  She shares her philosophical meditations on youth, love, career, children, life stages and human relationships in the modern age.  Although her musings were written down over 50 years ago, it's amazing how relevant this book still is today. Her daughter Reeve, who wrote the introduction, admits to reading the book at least once a year... 

 

After just a few pages, I always begin to relax into that movement and to feel like something that belongs to the tide - just another piece of flotsam floating in the great oceanic rhythms of the universe.

- Reeve Lindbergh

 

I dug into the book again as soon as I returned home, underlining my favorite passages and scribbling notes into the margins.  I thought I'd share with you a summary of her poetic insights, inspired by five shells she collected during her time on the island...

1.  Channeled Whelk:  This bare and empty shell reminds us to simplify life, to put in practice the art of shedding, and to embrace freedom - like the hermit crab who once lived inside.

2.  Moon Shell:  This smooth and round shell, with a perfect spiral winding inward to resemble a mysterious single eye, reminds us of an island - of being alone, and the importance of finding time for solitude.

3.  Double Sunrise:  This whole and unblemished shell has two halves, both exactly matched, like the wings of a butterfly.  It reminds us of the first stage of relationships and youth, beautiful and fragile, temporary and fleeting.

4.  Oyster Bed:  This humble and awkward shell, encrusted with accumulations and formed by its struggle to survive, reminds us of the later stages of relationships and middle age - a period of comfortable familiarity, a departure from worldly ambitions, and readiness for spiritual growth.

5.  Argonauta:  This extremely rare and delicate shell reminds us of the final, perhaps unattainable, evolution of relationships, when two whole and fully developed individuals are able to exist together side by side, in a dance of mutual love, distance and respect.

 

Perhaps this is the most important thing for me to take back from beach living: simply the memory that each cycle of the tide is valid; each cycle of the wave is valid; each cycle of a relationship is valid. And my shells? I can sweep them all into my pocket. They are there to remind me that the sea recedes and returns eternally.

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

And The Gender Is .......

Boy oh boy!  We've known for awhile now.  But I had to break up all this good news into easily digestible bits!

So here's the funny story behind this gender reveal.  I like to go big.  If it were solely up to me, I would have thrown a lavish party, invited all our friends, and made people dress in the color of their prediction.  But knowing Hal's low key personality, I didn't even bring it up.  As a compromise, I thought it'd be nice to announce the gender with my immediate family instead, so they could witness our happiness in the moment.

I asked my doctor to send the gender results in a letter.  It arrived a few days before we planned to reveal to my family.  But sitting on a piece of information you've been waiting your whole life for is not an easy task!  Hal wanted to open it then and there.  We went back and forth, debating what to do.  My family would understand, right?  The temptation!

We caved and opened it together, just the two of us.  Cuddling on the couch, I took a deep breath, and ripped the envelope open.  MALE FETUS was highlighted in yellow.  And we burst into tears.  I sobbed like a... well like a mother discovering the gender of her first child.  I cried out of happiness, knowing that my intuition was correct.  I cried out of joy for Hal, knowing how much this news meant to him personally.  We would have loved a girl.  And I still believe she'll join our family one day soon.  But our baby boy is here now.  The one we've been waiting on for a very long time.

We immediately called our parents to tell them the good news.  And to apologize for ruining the big reveal!  Looking back, I'm glad we opened the letter privately.  Without all the hoopla - without all the fuss.  Those few special moments with Hal are ones I'll never forget.

P.S. To keep it fun for my brother and his family, we filled a black balloon with blue confetti and popped it over at their house a few days later.  Much to my 3-year old niece's dismay.  She had demanded pink!  :)

We're Having A Baby !!!

It's true!  I didn't just eat a large burrito.  There's actually a person growing inside my belly!  That all-consuming secret I was keeping?  As you may have guessed... this is it.  And Hal and I are over the moon!  Actually, that's an understatement.  We are over the sun!

I waited a bit longer than most to reveal the news.  But finally feeling confident enough to say - this little bean is here to stay.  Strong healthy heartbeat?  Check.  Positive genetic test results?  Check.  Super cute ultrasound photos showing proof of a real life human being?  Check! 

If you've been following my blog for the past few years, you'll know this is my third pregnancy.  After three long years of trying, two false starts and a daunting infertility diagnosis, there was a point where Hal and I had that difficult conversation about needing to be okay with just us - a family of two.  But I had trouble visualizing that future.  I just knew our baby was coming. **

Both miscarriages broke our hearts into a thousand little pieces.  But I'm forever grateful for those experiences and it wasn't until I reached a place of acceptance, that we were able to conceive this little one.  I wasn't ready to be a mother then.  But I am now.  I feel like an entirely new person.  And the capacity of love in my heart has grown tenfold for this sweet soul who, like myself, needed a bit more time to get ready for the new and exciting adventure that lies ahead.

October 15th - it's happening.  And I hope you'll stick around to witness all my hormonal tears, fears and joys.  I promise I won't turn this space into a "mommy blog".  But as a lifestyle blogger who already reveals the inner workings of her world, pregnancy may be a difficult subject to avoid.  This baby is already demanding most of my attention - I can't imagine not sharing these beautiful moments with you all.

Mama friends, bring on the advice!  I'm all ears.  And all belly before ya know it!


** To those of you still struggling to start a family, to the brave women who reached out to me in solace, to my dear friends who yearn to have a child - I pray my story gives you hope.  I continue to welcome your emails, your heartache, your woes.  And I continue to hold your hand, until you let go, to hold a baby of your own. 

Etsy Faves 16: Happy Mama

A few special handmade goodies sure to please the wonderful woman in your world...

1. Macaron Gift Box by Bisou Bisou Macarons
2. Azalea Family Tree by Evajuliet
3. Loose Tea Sampler by Artful Tea
4. Decorative Clay Pears by Skye Art
5. Tiny Gold Stud Earrings by Elephantine
6. Wooden House Bud Vase by 2of2
7. Wildflower Seed Bombs by Renaissance Botanical
8. Recipe Book by Paper Notebook

P.S. Twelve more Mother's Day gift ideas!

Four Things 16: Cherry Blossoms

 

Four Things - inspired by the cherry blossoms coloring our city all shades of pink ....

1. Japanese Sakura Jam
2. Cherry Blossom Skirt
3. Dried Floral Resin Bangle
4. DIY Paper Cherry Blossoms

 

I want to do to you what Spring does with the cherry trees.

- Pablo Neruda

Life In Five: 13

1. Missing:  little Suzu, my niece cat.  She stayed with us while my brother and his family were away traveling.  It was so nice to have a kitty in the house again!  Every since sweet Bailey passed, there's been a void in our home.  One that can only be filled with purrs and fur.  I think I'm finally ready for another forever feline friend.

2. Reading:  American Pastoral by Philip Roth - our next book club selection.  Have you read it?  I'm only through the first chapter, but I can already foresee some late night page-turning in my immediate future.  Prior to this, we finished Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.  Which I loved so much, it deserves it's own blog post... coming soon!

3. Munching:  on Nature Box's healthy snacks.  I finally jumped on board and took advantage of their free sample pack.  Pleased as punch!  This week, I nibbled on jalepeno cashews, a cranberry medley, strawberry greek yogurt pretzels, garden tomato crunchies, and my favorite: garlic parmesan pop pops - half-popped kernels like the ones you get at the bottom of the popcorn bowl.  I gobbled those up in 30 seconds flat.

4. Planning:  a mother-daughter trip to New Mexico!  We've been wanting to do this for years and finally got serious about a getaway in May.  We're hoping to squeeze in the Breaking Bad tour in Albuquerque, a few museums and restaurants in Santa Fe, and some natural mineral hot springs in Taos.  Anything else we should check out?  If you've been there before, I'd love your suggestions.

5. Keeping:  a secret.  I have big news to share with you all, but mum's the word for now.  More info soon, I promise!


What have you been up to lately? 
 

 

20 Wedding Reception Dresses Under $100

I started a new part-time gig with a local wedding planning and production company and one of my jobs is to blog for them once a week.  It's great because now I have a bona fide legit reason for spending way too many hours browsing wedding sites for "research" purposes.

Today on their blog, I'm talking about the reception dress.  Is a 2nd outfit truly necessary?  Yes and yes.  If you remember from my own wedding a few years back, my inexpensive little tango number saved the day after my long chiffon gown was ruined on our motorcycle ride.  Hop on over to Rockerbaby Productions to read the full story.

And for my darling future brides who want a second dress, but have no idea where to look - your search ends here.  I've found 20 affordable options that won't break the bank.  All under $100! 

1. TopShop: $70;
2. Urban Outfitters: $79;
3. ASOS: $81;
4. Urban Outfitters: $79;
5. ASOS: $81;
6. ASOS: $72;
7. ASOS: $72;
8. Forever 21: $27.90;
9. Forever 21: $29.90;
10. ASOS: $68;
11. Forever 21: $34.90;
12. Urban Outfitters: $89;
13. Sheinside: $15.67;
14. Ruche:  $74.99;
15. Sheinside: $26;
16. Forever 21: $29.80;
17. Sheinside: $23.03;
18. Forever 21: $32.90;
19. Forever 21: $27.90;
20. Ruche: $52.99;

If you're married, did you have a separate reception dress to get your groove thang on?  Do you wish you did?  Or were you perfectly content in your special one-and-only gown?   

Thoughts 12: When Bad Things Happen

The scariest thing happened to me the other night.  I ran out of gas on a busy highway!  On the one day I forgot my driver's license at home.  The traffic was going too fast to pull off to the right, so there I was at a dead stop in the middle lane of I-5.  Vehicles were honking and swerving around me to avoid a collision.  I couldn't bear to look into my rear-view mirror, as cars were missing me by mere inches.  This was it - this was how I would die!  It was traumatic to say the least, involving hot tears, a panicked 911 call, and utter humiliation as the police pushed my MINI to the shoulder and gave me a lecture about negligent driving.

Something very beautiful happens to people when their world has fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor.

― Marianne Williamson

That night, after a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream to soothe my nerves, I got to thinking about why it happened, when it happened.  If you believe that your thoughts create your reality, as I do, I couldn't help but question my role in this dreadful experience.  Did I attract it into my life?  Just before it happened, I was in the greatest mood - engrossed in a fascinating audio segment on Dr. David R. Hawkins' Scale of Consciousness.  He discovered that each of us vibrate, and can choose to vibrate, at a certain level on a scale from 1 to 1000:

Enlightenment 700-1000

Peace 600

Love 500

Acceptance 350

Neutrality 250

Anger 150

Fear 100

Guilt 30

 

We want to strive for Love or above.  I was in such high spirits, I would have guessed I was up there around 575.  It made no logical sense to me at the time - how something so bad could happen when I was feeling so good.  Does anyone else think this way, or am I just cray?  Marie Forleo suggests it could be an upper limit problem, when we unconsciously self-sabotage ourselves at our happiest moments.

In hindsight, I believe was looking at it all wrong.  There will always be events and circumstances in your life in which you have little control.  You can’t prevent bad things from happening to you, no matter how positive your thoughts.  But you can choose how you react to these situations - with higher vibrating love/peace or lower vibrating fear/guilt.  Unfortunately, that night, I made the wrong choice!

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.

- Voltaire

If you're like me, on a perpetual path of self-discovery, maybe you'll understand my thinking.  I wonder if these unforeseen and seemingly random catastrophes show up in our lives as an opportunity to practice our new skills in this higher vibration of consciousness.  Bad things can happen for good reason.  They're growth givers.  And if you choose to look at them as opportunities, they can no longer be called bad.

Whatever you have attracted in your life at this moment, is precisely what you need in your life at this moment. There is a hidden meaning behind all events, and this hidden meaning is serving your own evolution.

- Deepak Chopra

I'm curious as to what you think about all this.  Have you ever been blindsided by a daunting experience in the midst of an otherwise excellent day?  How did you handle it?  And has anyone ran out of gas on a busy highway completely oblivious to the empty fuel gauge?  Please tell me I'm not the only one!

A Girlfriend Getaway In Sedona

I just returned from the sweetest girlfriend getaway in Sedona.  But not just any girlfriend getaway.  Most of these ladies were founding members of the USC Sirens, my all-female college a capella group.  Although we live in many different states, we've remained close over the years.  That's what singing, recording, touring and performing together will do for you! 

I've been wanting to visit Sedona for quite some time - not only to witness its breathtaking natural beauty, but to soak up the good vibes.  As you may know, the town is known as a spiritual mecca due to the area's vortexes - swirling centers of subtle energy emanating from the surface of the earth.  Since becoming attuned to Reiki, I've noticed a greater sensitivity to this life force energy and was eager to experience these power spots first hand.

We decided to take a "Touch The Earth" Pink Jeep Tour to explore 3 of Sedona's mystic vortexes.  It ended up being the highlight of our trip.  Jenny bought us all matching pink bandanas because she's cute like that. 

Sedona in February is pretty cold.  Thankfully, the jeep was packed with blankets!  At our final vortex, our guide Tod led us in a peaceful group meditation.  We outstretched our arms, inhaling love and connection, exhaling worry and fear.  We took off our shoes to feel the earth's energy rise up through the soles of our feet.  Some of us sat in meditation, some of us did yoga, others simply stood quietly admiring the view.  Together in solitude.  It was a moment I'll never forget. 

Downtown Sedona is just as alluring.  At one point, we entered a metaphysical shop selling crystals, gemstones and other new age goodies.  Inside we met a woman who claimed she didn't work there, yet showed us around the store as if she did.  She picked up an oracle card deck, shuffled it, and asked me to select a card.  This is what I instinctively chose ....

41: CREATIVE - You are fully aligned with the powerful light energy and loving harmony of Mother Earth.  Your creative energy is centered and flowing.  It is time now to embrace this energy.  Perhaps you're an artist, a writer, a healer, a musician or whatever.  Dedicate time each day to using your creative force in a way that brings you joy.  Keep yourself grounded and connected through meditation.  When you are aligned with Source and Mother Earth, your creative juices flow in abundance.

I couldn't have chosen a more perfect card at this particular time in my life.  I felt it was written just for me!  The woman offered the deck to Jenny, who drew the Intimacy card - one that meant a great deal to her.  Our jaws dropped when the lady expanded on our cards, saying things that resonated with our current situations.  She said she was channeling our higher selves.  We left the store in a stupor - what just happened?  Out of the blue, this random woman, who doesn't even work there, gave us a reading we didn't even ask for - telling us exactly what we needed to hear.  A few moments later, the lady walked right out of the shop and continued on down the street.

Sedona is a magical place.  They say that everyone who lives here is happy.  Everyone smiles.  People have been known to uproot their lives and move here on a whim to follow their spiritual calling and expand their consciousness.  As woo woo as it may sound, there's no denying the euphoric feeling you get when you stand at the top of a red rock mountain, gazing out onto the valley below, breathing in the electrifying air.  I felt love from the earth.  And love from my friends.  The combination is a force to be reckoned with.

Etsy Faves 15: Sunshine Yellow

Spring in February?  So it seems.  With every passing year, Washington winters are becoming shorter and shorter.  The last few weeks have been absolutely gorgeous.  Swallows are sweetly whistling me awake in the morning.  Magnolia trees are blossoming around our neighborhood.  And the sunshine has been radiant - blessing us with welcomed warmth and light.

Inspired by our recent golden rays, enjoy a few of my sunny Etsy Faves ....

1. Felt Kitty Planter by The Yarn Kitchen
2. Letterpress Print by Thimblepress
3. Retro Bikini by Rellik Vintage
4. Yellow Tablecloth by Dreamzzzzz
5. 80's Sunglasses by Fivestones Vintage
6. Happy Mail Sticker Set by Pink Olive
7. Crochet Hair Bow by Plexida
8. Vintage Linen Napkins by Olive Someday

 

My New Coastal.com Glasses

Yay for new glasses!  It was TIME.  Now that I'm working from home, I wear glasses a lot more than my contacts.  I've had my clear vintage specs for a couple of years now.  I still love them, but a girl needs to accessorize!  Plus, they were quite heavy and I could only wear them for half a day before getting a headache.  Probably doesn't help that I have insanely thick blind-as-a-bat lenses.

Right when I announced to the universe I needed new frames - the eye gods, aka Coastal.com, graciously offered me two new pairs as a Style Ambassador.  Diving timing!  I choose one designer brand and one pair from their exclusive collection.

I was a little hesitant about ordering frames online, especially with my strong prescription and astigmatism challenges.  But their optometrist explained that as long as I ordered pairs that were shorter in height, I would be a-okay.  And I could always return them if they didn't work out.  After much deliberation, I decided on an every day light-as-air black cat-eye frame from Vogue.  And a saucier purple rectangular frame from Love.  Which do you like best?

Now I can finally match my glasses with my outfits.  The black pair for when I'm wanting to blend in.  I love wearing them with dressier ensembles.  And the purple pair for when I want to stand out.  They're a ton of fun with casual jeans and a tee.

Do you wear glasses?  Or do you wish you wore them?  If I was brave enough to subject my corneas to laser eye surgery, I'd probably still wear my specs without the lenses.  I've needed them since I was four - they're who I am.  Once a glasses geek, always a glasses geek!


This post is sponsored by Coastal.com. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running! 

How To Throw A Raclette Party

Usually when I tell people about the annual family raclette party I host every year around the holidays, I get a bewildered smile and nod.  I've noticed that most people here in the States are in the dark about raclette.  Simply unacceptable, friends.

If you're unfamiliar, raclette is a strong and pungent semi-hard cow's milk cheese from Switzerland.  Similar to fondue, it's a popular winter social event in the alpine areas of Europe.  You melt slices of raclette on individual trays inside a special raclette grill - drizzling the cheese over an assortment of potatoes, pickles, meats and veggies.  You can get as inventive as you want with your ingredients.  Everything pairs well with cheese, right?  We go all out with ours, vegetarian style.

Other ingredients we've tried and loved:  pears, balsamic mushrooms, bell peppers, artichoke hearts, brussels sprouts, zucchini, roasted garlic, red pepper sauce and fresh herbs.  Some people like to include bread.  But I prefer my raclette parties without - otherwise it's too similar to fondue.  Feel free to go simple and traditional.  I'd personally be happy with just raclette, boiled potatoes and pickled anything. 

Don't be afraid of the stink!  When melted, the strong raclette aroma settles down and you'll be able to appreciate it's salty/sweet/nutty flavor and creamy texture.

Sometimes raclette can be hard to find in stores.  If it's in season, we get ours pre-sliced from Trader Joes.  And depending on the size of your party, raclette can get pricey.  So we usually go halvsies with gruyére.  Any alpine cheese that melts well will work.

The party grill.  Put this at the top of your appliance wish list!  It comes with 8 individual cooking trays to heat your slice of cheese.  And the top can be used for grilling your ingredients if they haven't been pre-cooked.  Before the cheese melts, I personally like to add chives and gobs of fresh ground black pepper to seal the deal. 

Now the fun part.  Pour your melted raclette over the goodies on your plate and savor every bite!  The trays are non-stick, so the cheese usually slides right off.  Sometimes - after a glass or two of wine and invigorating conversation - you forget about your cheese bubbling away and it overcooks.  That's why the grill comes with individual tools that scrape all the cheese off your tray - brilliant.

Tell me friends, are you a raclette connoisseur?  Or is this your first introduction?  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, why not host a romantic raclette party for two?  Nothing says love more than cheese! 

Four Things 15: Love Struck

Hey love bugs.  Thought I'd get you revved up for Valentine's Day with this month's Four Things.  Fortunately, it lands on a Saturday - date night!  Do you have any special plans?  I'm sure we'll be kicking it at home, playing some classic jazz, cooking something heart-shaped.  And waiting with anticipation for my bestie's first baby to arrive!  Her little boy cherub is due on February 14th - how sweet is that? 

1. Canvas Love Tote
2. Be Still My Heart Dress
3. DIY Heart-Shaped Tea Bags
4. Awkward Dating Card

 

P.S. 18 more ooey gooey Valentine's Day inspiration posts.....

• Flowers For Men?
• Ice Skating
• DIY Felt Fortune Cookies
• A Sweethearts Stop Motion
• Valentines Day Weekend
• Seven Days of Love
• Making Out
• Heart Shaped Lasagna
• V-Day Desktop Wallpaper
• A Little Snow Date
• Heart Art
• A Romantic Weekend
• Bread Hearts
• Love Notes
• 4 Heart Shaped Sweet Treats
• Love Forts
• Geronimo Valentines Balloons
• A Sexy Red Salad

 

Life In Five: 12

1. Packing:  for a quickie trip to Park City, Utah.  Hal's buddy is an airline pilot and was kind enough to fly us out to stay with him and his family for a few days.  Can't wait to put my snow boots, warm hats and mittens to use.  We'll even catch the tail end of Sundance!  I've never been before - have you?  We didn't pre-purchase any tickets, but I'm still hoping to catch a last-minute film or two!

2. Smiling:  as I go through photos from our 3 Little Birds movie Sing-Along event this past Saturday.  We projected Frozen on our big white brick wall and invited local families to our music studio to sing along with Elsa and Anna.  We taught the kids how to warm up their voices and how to keep the blue balloon "snowballs" up in the air whenever it snowed on screen.  We were expecting maybe 5 people.  And ended up with 40!  It was such a proud moment for us as owners, seeing our space filled to the brim with happy, silly songbirds dressed up as princesses, dancing and belting out their favorite tunes.  We're planning to host a different musical sing-along each month!

3. Obsessing:  over Serial.  I'm a little late to the game, but my book club girls just told me about this spin-off of This American Life and warned me I'd be hooked after Episode 1.  They were right!  If you haven't listened to the podcast yet - it's a true story that investigates the death of a 17-year old girl and the ex-boyfriend who was convicted of her murder and who continues to protest his innocence.  My post-Serial withdrawals even led me to Google what has happened since the final episode aired.

4. Cooking:  Oh My Veggies meal plans.  This is my new favorite vegetarian food blog.  Kiersten and her team go above and beyond to create delicious and affordable dinner ideas for the week, complete with a printable shopping list.  It feels good to be organized.  I'm working on this particular meal plan right now - mmm, the posole soup is to die for.  Since Hal makes his own meaty meals, I'm cooking for one these days.  Which means lots of leftovers for lunches, quick re-heating options for when you're low on energy, and grocery shopping only 2x a month.

5. Listening:  to A Soft Murmur.  It's a web app that provides ambient sounds to wash away distraction while you work.  As I type, there's a fire crackling in the corner, a gentle thunderstorm rumbling in the distance, and quiet coffee shop clatter that makes me feel like I'm working in a room full of people.  It's so cool, guys.  Tomorrow, I may be at the ocean with crashing waves.  Or inside a yoga studio with Tibetan singing bowls.  You can play sounds with other sounds, adjusting the volume of each as if you're at mixing board.  Try it!

I guess this series should be called 'Life In Six' today, because I couldn't resist adding one more....

6. Prepping:  for the big game on Sunday.  So pumped!  I got my new Russell Wilson jersey tee.  Hal's got his new Seahawks cap.  Found some snack recipes to make.  We are set.  I'm not sure what the odds are of winning two Super Bowls in a row, but if anyone can do it, Seattle can with the help of the 12th man!  I love how football brings our city together.  GO HAWKS!

What have you been up to lately? 

Our Weekend At Lake Quinault Lodge

I love to escape on my birthday.  Like last year and the year before, I gravitate toward remote off-the-grid locations - away from the city and immersed in nature for a quiet and contemplative celebration of life.  Lake Quinault Lodge provided just that.  Three hours west of Seattle, we drove through winding roads and foggy evergreens to our historic 1920's hotel in the middle of the Olympic National Rainforest.

We settled into our cozy fireplace room with a private view of Lake Quinault.  My poor love was sick and buried himself under the covers while I enjoyed some tranquil alone time on the deck with my book and a glass of red. 

Exploring the grounds, I discovered secret trails and picturesque resting spots.  Although it was chilly and a bit muddy, I couldn't have asked for a more peaceful place to stay.  For a brief moment, the sun appeared from behind the clouds and all was right in the world.

According to their totem rain gauge, I'm apparently 6 foot 1 - who knew?  The friendly groundskeeper who took my photo told me that the Lodge received a record 19 feet of rain last year!

And inside the grand lobby - the fireplace of all fireplaces.  This photo doesn't do it justice.  The logs were almost as long as my entire body!  People were gathered around the flames, resting in leather sofas, reading, sipping warm winter drinks, playing chess and enjoying the rustic ambiance.  I would have been happy hanging out here for the entire weekend.

But there were other adventures to be had.  After an early dinner in the Roosevelt Dining Room (named after FDR himself who lunched at the Lodge many moons ago), we were told that the 80's version of Annie would be showing in the ballroom!  What?!  How did they know that movie was my favorite as a child?  I couldn't believe my luck.  Hal and I claimed our front row seats with a big bowl of popcorn.  Since we were the only people watching, it felt perfectly acceptable to sing along.

The next morning, we woke up bright and early for a special Quinault Rainforest Tour, guided by the knowledgeable and entertaining LeRoy, and accompanied by two other couples.  Both wives were also celebrating their birthdays!  Our first stop was the world's largest 1000-year old spruce tree.

Despite the fog, it was big day for wildlife.  We spotted a family of elk lounging in the grass.  A total of 18 bald eagles.  A few salmon swimming in the river.  And a rare sighting of Mongo the Mossquatch!

I forgot what this clover-like plant was called, but LeRoy told us their stems tasted like green apples.  I immediately had to try - and yep, they sure do!  I was ready to forage up a salad. 

We arrived back at the Lodge just in time make a souvenier penny and watch the Seahawks kill the Panthers!  The perfect victorious end to a cozy celebratory weekend. 

This post is sponsored by Lake Quinault Lodge. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

Etsy Faves 14: Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday I turned another year older, another year wiser.  Hal and I quietly celebrated early over the weekend with a little getaway to the Quinault Rainforest.  I'll show you some photos next week!  It's such a beautiful winter escape.

Back in Seattle, my actual birthday was just as swell.  I started the day with a relaxing jaunt in one of these.  Hal brought home ingredients for a massive cheese plate lunch.  We doubled over in laughter trying to make this agro-yoga partner pose happen in our living room - don't ask why!  I picked up some basil and grapefruit essential oils from our local apothecary shop for my new MUJI aroma diffuser.  We ate comfort food for dinner at a nearby gastropub.  And inhaled a vegan molten lava cake for dessert.  When I realized I hadn't blown out a single candle, Hal drew this on a piece of scrap paper, stuck a candle in the top, and sang a very fine rendition of Happy Birthday.  I closed my eyes, held his hand, and made a wish.

For the bday babes in your life, enjoy these celebratory Etsy Faves ....

1. Tassel Garland by Paper Fox LA
2. Vintage Long Skinny Candles by Cowboy Goods
3. Giant 36" Orange Balloon by Love Garlands
4. Birthday Print by Coulour Moon
5. Hand-Lettered Celebrate Stamp by Besotted Brand
6. Parisian Perpetual Birthday Calendar by Pei Design
7. Bamboo Birthday Plates & Forks by Sucre Shop
8. Jumbo Confetti by Lola's Confetti Shop

 

Thoughts 11: Living By The Moon

 

If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.

- Sylvia Plath

 

Tonight at 8:53 pm PST is the first full moon 2015!  Instead of resolutions this year, I'm exploring a new goal-setting technique.  I want to reacquaint myself with the moon, my gentle luminous friend in the sky, and live my life according to her ebb and flow.

I've been doing some reading on the subject - and when we work with the moon's phases, we align ourselves with her energy and power - making it easier to achieve our desires, goals and resolutions.  With lunar assistance, we can become co-creators of our lives.  And learn a lot about ourselves in the process.

 

A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation, and how one gives birth to oneself slowly.

- Rumi

 

Want to join me in this little experiment?  Below are descriptions of the eight 4-day lunar phases with tips on how to use them to your advantage.  Pay attention to how you feel during each one to learn your own individual rhythms.  After a few months of tracking, you'll begin to notice a stronger connection with the moon, which will eventually take on a deeper level of meaning in your life. 

 

NEW MOON:  This is a time of conception, literally and figuratively.  It represents new beginnings.  When all is dark, the sun and moon are in alignment, creating a union of creative potential and receptivity.  There is a feeling of excitement and possibility in the air.  Ask yourself - what do I desire? 

Set a modest intention for something you'd like to receive in your life.  Abstract or tangible, anything is possible.  Since the moon represents emotions, it's important fully feel your intention.

CRESCENT MOON:  You will be tested and called to overcome fears.  Habits and limiting beliefs may hold you back.  Change can be frightening, but this phase provides an opportunity to discover what's required to move forward.  Ask yourself - what must I do to accomplish my vision?

Relax into your intention and take incremental steps toward your desire.  Gather any information or resources needed to create a plan of action.  

FIRST QUARTER MOON:  You've reached a major turning point and may feel outer resistance.  You must utilize the energy of the waxing moon, which can be difficult because you're still partially in the dark.  This will take trust and commitment.

Take strong action to support your intention.  A critical decision must be made to either keep pushing forward or turn back to reevaluate your goal.

GIBBOUS MOON:  This is the final push, as you are almost at the end of the first half of the cycle.  Others can now see clearly where you are headed.  This phase will give you a boost of perseverance and tenacity.

Analyze, prepare and perfect, making minor adjustments and adding finishing touches.  If something isn't working, now is the time to fix it.  Most importantly, trust and believe that your intention will be fulfilled in perfect timing.

FULL MOON:  When there's maximum light and energy, your intention is ready to be birthed.  This phase is a time of realization, reward and fulfillment.  If you notice that your original intention was not right for you at this time, learn from this insight.  Use it to alter your approach at the next new moon.

Sit back and watch as your intention begins to manifest and take form.  Release any attachment to your intention at this stage, as it may evolve in an unexpected way. 

DISSEMINATING MOON:  Whereas the first half of the cycle was devoted to achievement, the second half of the cycle is for introspection and gratitude.  This phase will provide you with understanding.

Receive your intention with joy and give thanks to the moon for providing you with the energy necessary to achieve your desire. 

LAST QUARTER MOON:  With the waning moon, you are now actively taking things apart, seeing them in a broader context, and letting go of your intention. This is also a great time to pay it forward.

Release your intention and give back from a place of abundance.

BALSAMIC MOON:  Withdraw, relax and make room for the future.  Although this is the last phase, it is also the bridge to the next lunar cycle.  It is in the quiet of these final days that the seed of the next new moon is discovered.

Rest, reflect and restore.  

 

The moon is a loyal companion.  It never leaves.  It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do.  Every day it’s a different version of itself.  Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light.  The moon understands what it means to be human.  

- Tahereh Mafi

 

Have you ever tried to live by the moon?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

P.S.  Did you know you can keep track of the moon phases on Google Calendar?  I just discovered this fun fact and it's super easy to configure.  Open the calendar in a browser.  On the left-hand side, click Other Calendars, then select Browse Interesting Calendars from the menu.  Under More you'll find:  Phases of the Moon.  Click Subscribe and your calendar will show a little moon image of each phase!

{Engagement Photo by: Christopher Bachmann and Shannon Eileen}

Our 2014 New Year Card From Tiny Prints

What do you do when it's 3 days before Christmas and you've yet to make a holiday card?  Send out a New Year card instead!  Thankfully, Tiny Prints was on board to help. They rushed these puppies out to us, complete with matching postage stamps, just in time to properly wish our loved ones a happy 2015.

Big thanks to my brother Christopher who ran with our silly idea and photographed us huffing and puffing on a mouthful of noisemakers.  Have you ever tried to blow 3 at once?  Harder than it looks!  Those little suckers have a mind of their own.

Like last year, we chose another clean and modern 1-photo card designed by Robyn Miller - she totally gets us.  Here are a few experimentally-focused shots that crack me up, but didn't quite make the cut .....



Have a fabulous NYE, my friends.  How are you planning to celebrate?  Big party?  Or a quiet night in watching the ball drop?  Whatever you do, make sure you have enough party blowers - one is never enough.

CHEERS!!!

P.S. See our past holiday cards here - 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2009.

This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints. The content and opinions are all my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep Happiness Is running!

 

{Images by: Christopher Bachmann}

Santa Baby

 

May all your holiday wishes come true. Merry Christmas, loves!

 

 

My Happy Place At Home

I can't believe I've never shared the inside of our home here on the blog.  I've been meaning to do a house tour for the longest time.  But excuses always came up as to why I couldn't.  Our place is too small.  The windows don't let in much natural light in the winter.  We'd actually have to hang all our art, finish this and that project, deep clean, hire a professional photographer.  Too overwhelming.

But then my friends at Porch.com asked me to share just one special spot in my house for their #LoveYourHome series.  This I can do.  And I'm happy to!  So welcome, darlings.  I invite you into our quirky little 1930's cottage.

I have many "happy places" in my home, but one that remains mostly my own, is our formal living room - or shall I say, living corner?  It's probably only 100 square feet!  But that's what makes it cozy.  There's no TV.  Just a wood-burning fireplace, bookshelves, and two ends of a 3-piece mid-century sofa, because we couldn't fit the entire piece.

It's my reading nook, where I cuddle up with grandma's hand-knit chevron throw underneath the 60's arc lamp.  It's where we hold a little collection of art books from when Hal ran the Museum of Contemporary Art store in LA.  It's where we display old family photos, one of my parents after they got engaged, one of Hal's deceased father who watches over us, and an old snapshot of Hal and I, over a decade ago, when we were just babies falling in love.

You'll notice a lot of vintage in our home - the retro wall clock, the large ocean oil panting, and the sheepskin rug, gifted to us by our landlord.  We enjoy filling our house with history and memories, even if not our own.  On the shelves are little brass deers, a mini moon globe, and my Polaroid camera, all snagged from local thrift stores and antique malls.  The orange footstool / magazine rack was a lucky find on Etsy that begged to live in our home.

This room is also special because it reminds me of my kitty Bailey.  When she was alive, we'd spend hours together snuggling under blankets, purring, dozing, loving by the fire.  After she passed, it was hard for me to spend time here.  But eventually the sadness turned to sweetness.  Now I feel her presence all around.

Tomorrow, my family will be visiting for the holidays, gathering around the dining table on the other side of this room for our annual raclette party.  I'm not sure how we manage to squeeze seven people into this space at once, but somehow it works.  We plant ourselves down on the soft rug.  We sit on laps.  It's perfect.  Because filling it to the brim with loved ones is what makes a house a home.

Where is your happy place?  I'd love to know.  Tell me in the comments below, or Tweet / Instagram a photo with the hashtag  #LoveYourHome.