Paradise City.

Y'all!  My trip was relaxing and beautiful, and everything I hoped it would be.  Seriously, look at it!

The water was such a beautiful green-blue (not properly captured by my iPhone, of course).  The weather was perfect in the 70s, but the water remained too cold except for the crazies -- aka the kids and their devoted father.  I don't know how they did it!  Especially after the jellyfish we saw.

The sunsets were a sight to see.  That, and the bike ride with all eight of us.  Unfortunately I don't have a picture of that.  We played cards, tossed the football around (who knew my sister threw such a hard spiral?!), drank wine, and watched Charlie Brown.  It was magical.  Also: We are not the Cleavers, I promise.

  The sand was so white!  The whitest I've ever seen in person.  It was amazing how fast the temperature would drop once the sun went down and the sand would become shockingly cold.  Non sequitur: we saw two dolphins!

On the last night we celebrated my birthday (it's this Thursday) and Bronson was very excited about the birthday cake.  He made sure to tell me to make a wish, but NOT say it out loud =)

 I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

I had planned on popping in last Thursday with an "I'm Grateful" post, but the house didn't have wifi, so my laptop became a stowaway.  Thanks for enduring the silence.

I do want you to know that I am very grateful for all of you.  Very grateful!

Leaving on a Jet Plane.

If the pinner was correct, this is where I will be this week.  I CANNOT WAIT!  By the time you read this, I'll be on a plane impatiently counting the hours until I arrive.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving, friends!  I hope you're able to spend it with family and friends and eat as much mashed potatoes as possible.  (They've always been my favorite.  I told the kids that I get half of them and everyone else gets to split the other half.  They think I'm kidding.) 

Catch you on the flipside, yo. 

Holiday! Celebrate!

I think Buster needs a Christmas present.  It's a Buddy the Elf hat!

Happy Friday, friends!  I'm very excited this week is over becausszzzzzzzz I am TAKING THE ENTIRE WEEK OFF next week!!  EEEEeeeee.  Think of me fondly while I'm basking in the warmth of Florida next week.  I'm so supah excited. 

What are your Thanksgiving plans?  We'll be making Thanksgiving dinner in a rental house, so send us good vibes for decent utensils and pots/pans.  Thankfully my parents will be able to drive there, so most important goods can come with them.  Like nine bottles of wine. 

Please excuse my absence next week while I take it easy.  Oh so easy. 

In the meantime, Friday Links:

• The weather forecast for my trip next week (simply because I want to brag).
• This creamy avocado pasta is quite possibly the easiest/fastest dinner I've ever made. 
• These boots are so casually rocker awesome and I want, want, want them. 
• Want some Christmas inspiration?  Next week IS the official start of the season.
• A hilarious yet spot-on description of the constant prejudices that still show up ALL THE TIME in our movies. 
• Oh my god!  This is my life, but only in better words. 
• A jaw-dropping article regarding animals and suicide.  (Also: Have I told you I'm terrified of whales?)
• A classy leather alternative to the ubiquitous Longchamp bag. 

Remember.

I cannot stop thinking about this since I first saw it. 

Lovely Lace.

DEAR GOD.  This is a dream wedding dress. 

The lace!  The back!  That sash!  And who paid someone off to have her veil blow in the wind like that?

Absolute perfection.

Jessie from the long and short of it