A nod to Jcrew

On my hunt for the ever elusive iphone 4, my two hour trek to apple store left me empty-handed. So in efforts to make my trip worthwhile, I hit up the Jcrew store and found this hat!

Our fourth

We had a reunion of sorts with our sweet friends and essentially a playdate for the entire weekend. Italian food, cupcakes, old stories, lots of laughter, and fireworks to top it all off. Truly, one of our best fourths ever!

Annie and Gideon are six weeks apart, both born in Okinawa Japan which pretty much bonds them for life!

Impromptu fishing at the park!

I literally fell head over heals for this sweet peanut.

Happy Fourth & giveaway winner!

I like the old fashioned idea of pulling a name out of a hat!

Nadine-please shoot me an email with your address! Congrats!

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Happy Fourth of July!!! We'll be lighting off sparklers, listening to music at the park, and catching up with old friends!

35mm lens

Here are some random images around the house captured with my new 35mm lens. I wanted something that could do both near and far and this lens nails it!

Captures great food shots!

An entire room shot pardon my unfinished dining room, still working on those roman shades!

Laura's new toy!

Great up close.

Learned about it first on pioneer woman.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway, today is the last day, go here!

Noodles & company

After gymnastics on Saturday Gideon and I decided to feed our inner Italian and tried out Noodles and company. Its a franchise that started in Boulder Colorado, their motto: "everything made fresh to order", yummy. I gobbled down my Lemon asparagus linguine in no time flat as did Gideon with his wisconsin cheddar mac n cheese. I could never be carb free, its anti-Italian, against my blood.

Our noodle happy grins.

LOVE their graphic design sign, cute noodle car!

This wall talked about food balance, hallelujah America needs this.

Lemon asparagus linguine with sugar snap peas, basil, mushrooms, feta, and tofu.

We'll be back! By the way, I snapped all these pictures on my iphone and amped them up with Tilt shift generator app! (How did I ever survive without my iphone?)

Pedaling Designs giveaway

My dear friend Rebecca of Pedaling designs has designed this oh so awesome poster for me! That's right she does custom designs of anything your lil heart desires. I chose "Love is kind" because it's our family mantra due to the rough and tumble nature of Gideon!

I just LOVE how the poster came out, note the chevron detailing in the V and N!

Now for the giveaway: I'm giving away one set of Rebecca's amazing notecards. The purpose is twofold: get to know readers and thank you for all your support! So please become a follower (click "follower" button on sidebar) then to enter the giveaway leave a comment letting me know which notecard sets your heart aflutter!

Giveaway will be open all week and winner announced Friday.

Washi (Japanese style)

Polka dots

Graphie

Oh Happy Day

I own this set and have used it on several occasions, its so versatile!

Do check out her site she also features custom posters and children's notecards, super cute.

Favorites Friday: Shine

The temperature has really turned up here in Virginia. The sun is the star of some beautiful images this week in blogland. I just love the Light.

"When Jesus spoke to the people again He said, 'I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'

John 8:12

So pretty and summery via elle

Great poster via modernverses

Love the great light in this room and its eclectic mix via coco+kelley

Gideon and I call these blowies via audreyhepburn

Also of note

Seleta's foyer before and after

I love these clogs

Fell in love with this song when we visited Australia

Learning how to take a rest step

Have a happy weekend and shine like the Son!

Missing husband

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When husband is away I typically brace myself for the inevitable flat tire or blizzard! This time the power has gone out and I grew a sinus infection overnight! Reminds me of the verse we shared at our wedding,

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

(Ecc 4:12)

Miss ya babe.

Home tour: Mountain high

This mountain retreat had me at the exposed wooden beams, so stunning. What a perfect retreat of a home to see more of this North Carolina haven go here.

interior by mimiwilliams

NJ-NY

In true Maria-fashion, we squished as much adventure in the last week as possible! Three hour drive to Ocean city NJ for the day, then 6 more hours in the car to Oswego NY to see Mom! The grand finale ended reuniting with our dear sweet cousins, such a great time.

This place truly holds my heart.

Gideon with my Stepmom, April and my lil bro Joe, good times.

Best boardwalk snack ever.

New Jersey farm stand, best tomatoes in the world.

Onto NY.

Oswego Ny is nestled on Lake Ontario complete with victorian homes and downtown charm. This blue and red home won me over, yes please.

Sparkly lake at sunset, glorious.

Dandelions in Granny's yard.