Father's Day with AwesomeBox

Not to brag, but this Father's Day I totally nailed it. Of course I got Jon a dopp kit and a wallet and some kid-made crafts, but the winner this year? It was a personalized AwesomeBox. If you are like me, you are the photographer and historian of the family, always taking pictures, gathering memories and trying to figure out what to do with everything. That isn't necessarily my husband's thing so I didn't know if a personalized box was going to impress him as much as it impressed me to put it together!

 I was wrong. He was floored! I did the 25 cards box and you can put a picture on one side and write something on the back. Since it was for Father's Day I mainly did pictures of my husband with the kids and wrote on the back what they were doing or why he was a great dad.

The quality of the cards is nice and thick and the pictures look so great, he has them propped up on his dresser and can rotate them. This would be an awesome (you like that?) gift for birthdays or anniversaries. I already want to make one for my parents 45th wedding anniversary.

If you sign up on their mailing list you can get 10% off! Take a peek here.

That time we pretended to be hammock models

We were recently asked by our wedding photographer, Kate Harrison, to hang around in some hammocks while she took pictures of us for a local hammock company. Sounds like a fun way to spend the afternoon, huh?

Photo by Kate Harrison.

I loved the pictures so much I wanted to use one of the ones of just Jon and I as a birthday present for Jon. I was thinking something he could put up in his office. Well, turns out I loved it so much it's staying at home where I can enjoy it too. Do you ever do that? With every good intention birthday present sometimes you just gotta keep one or two of them for yourself.

Cute, no? I made an easel art print from Tiny Prints. With so many framed prints and canvas prints I thought this was fresh and fun. I love the way it turned out. Normally I shy away from super glossy and prefer matte, but somehow this works!

Loves it!

Senor Squeaks

This was Jonas' first time playing peek-a-boo, which he is still a little young for, so this reaction was surprising. Normally he talks to us and coos on the changing table, laying on his blanket and looking in the mirror and then little random ones throughout the day. This is the longest "chat", with the most enthusiasm and they were all new sounds to us. He gets a little over stimulated around 34 seconds, but the beginning just kills me. Cutest noises ever.

our maternity shoot

Jon and I had such a great time shooting these pictures with Catie Coyle a few weekends ago. We met up at Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero, a first time for all of us. And so random because our engagement photos were shot in the small town of Pescadero also. It was so windy and cool but she managed to get so many amazing shots. We are so happy we decided to have the shoot done, when during an otherwise busy time it's really easy to skip stuff like this. I hope you enjoy. :)

All photos by Catie Coyle. 

If you are in the Bay Area and looking for a photographer for any occasion, we highly recommend her! 

She helped shoot our wedding too and she is seriously such a joy to work with.

Jon's 30th Birthday party

I think I stayed pretty true to my inspiration board for Jon's party this weekend. Some things I didn't have a chance to take pictures of, was too busy having fun. And Jon had a blast too, which is all that matters. Another one for the books.

Setting the stage on the patio...

 Papel picado lining the house.

Jarritos on ice. 

Fresh flowers on the table. Trader Joe's always has the best variety. 

 Loving my new pink sandals! Picture does not do the neon justice.

And back inside...

Colorful paper flowers lined the table.

The fake Chiclets were a huge hit with the kids.

Strawberry and key lime cupcakes made by Jon's mom. Not pictured: the chocolate ones!

And to top it all off, the Giants won! After the final score, the birthday boy poured up shots of Don Julio. Success!

April 13

Happy Birthday to my husband, love and support! Today you are 30.

Muah,
Holly

{Photo by Kate Harrison}

The Dirty 30

Guess who is about to turn the big 3-0? No, not me! I'm merely 28. :) My better half is about to celebrate this epic milestone. We are having a little taco party at our house and I put together this inspiration board to help me focus on the theme so it doesn't turn into a tacky Cinco de Mayo party.

I aim for lots of fresh bright colors in Mexican sodas, El Pato cans and crepe paper flowers. We will of course have some papel picado banners around the patio to define the party space. Limes will be plentiful, doubling as decor and additions to beer. We will have a full taco bar, guac and chips, sangria and Jon's home brewed beer. Am I missing anything?

I love weeknight date nights

Date nights are sorta rare around here since we enjoy cooking at home so often. It seems like unless we have a Groupon for something, we don't go out! Haha. We had a Groupon for a newish restaurant in town called The Home of Chicken and Waffles and went mid-week.

 Jon was much more adventurous than me and he got the better meal because of it. Fried chicken, mac n cheese, mustard and collard greens and corn bread! That is a sentence of foods never said at my house growing up, other than mac n cheese, none of those things were ever cooked for us. I feel this soul food is a newer trend been happening in the Bay Area the last couple of years. Boo to my too-salty chicken strips and ho-hum salad. Cheers to all the southern hospitality type service. And cheers to date night with my husband.

Weekend Scenes

Enjoying our new wedding photo on stretched canvas over our mantle.

I cleaned out an old candle to now store my Stila lip glosses. 

Jon brewing homemade beer in the garage. 

One of two wood piles in our backyard. I think we're set. 

Now if it weren't for those frequent "no burn" days...

V-day is just around the corner, time to break out the conversation hearts!

Scenes from an anniversary

Yesterday Jon and I celebrated five years of being together. That is starting to really feel like some substantial time! I wonder if we will ditch that all together and start from scratch when we get married and start celebrating our wedding anniversary date? Fun tidbit: Our first date was on 06-06-06! 

Here's what a five year celebration looks like:

The card I got for Jon. Cute, huh? Maybe not the best choice for celebrating, say a 6 month mark in a relationship or something like that. 

But for 5 years, anythings game. He loved it. 

{pilsner + sangria}

After drinks, we ended up at Chez Panisse! Where we last were for my birthday, last July. As tempting as it is to hit up this place every year on your birthday, you are then only going to experience one season of food and similar menu choices (as amazing as they are). Even if its only one month difference?, you ask. Yep, because tomatoes are not largely in season yet and you do not find them on the menu yet. But in July, they will be going bananas with the amount of tomatoes on hand.

Some good eats, I don't need to list out every ingredient and what not. 

Just know that they were delicious and if you ever find 

yourself in the Bay Area, this place is a must.

Date night!

Date night with my fiance. We tried to get into Oakland's famous pizza place without reservations. Spoiler alert: we didn't get in. But we still got pizza and had a perfect date.

I don't know, but I think you can see it on my face that I wish I wasn't sitting behind a basket of food at Lanesplitter. Clearly still thinking of the wood fired pizza and organic ingredients down the block at Pizzaiolo.

Some bread sticks and wine and Jon made things turn around.

The "heartstopper". We have some garlic, spinach, bacon and Gorgonzola up in here!

And some delish tangelo sorbet at Scream to cap off the night out.

A Proposal in Chicago

 {Our view}

On the first day of fall Jon and I were walking to grab some deep dish pizza in the city of Chicago when Jon suggests we walk by Lake Michigan first. Only a few blocks from our hotel and with the weather being warm and not fall-like at all, I was game. We walk, and walk, and walk out on a pier, until Jon thinks we have hit the right spot. (Later I find out, he was just trying to find the most private spot away from people.) I know everyone loves a good surprise, but I knew he was going to pop the question in Chicago. I thought when we were on that pier he might do it, but after sitting, looking at the skyline and talking for awhile, Jon mentions we go to dinner. I agree, stand up, get my things and when I turn around, he is on one knee.

{Where Jon kneeled and asked me to marry him}

The next lil bit I'd like to keep between just him and I. But it was special and sweet and perfect. And the ring. Oh, ladies, the ring. I may or may not have uttered a profanity when I saw it. (Sorry to say)

{Engaged!}

Then we sat right back down on the pier and talked for another half an hour. Tears were involved. And then we continued on to dinner, as planned. We didn't call anyone (or tweet) until after dinner, so it was nice just knowing that for a couple hours, we were the only people that knew. I will say that one of my favorite parts of the night was infact calling all our family and best friends. It's not everyday that you converse with every single one (minus R&E!!) of your loved ones in a happy giddy fit!

 

 {He did good}

 {Not even our waitress knew}

Even though it was highly anticipated and at times I wasn't the most patient, after 4 years, 3 months and 17 days of calling Jon my boyfriend, the timing was perfect.

 {Jon calling family, me having a crazed photoshoot}