lessons in love

valentines day

is right around the corner

although i've only been married for 3 years

i've learned some important lessons in love

i tried to think of a better title for this post because i didn't

want it to sound like i was preaching or teaching

after all, every relationship is unique and special in it's own way

so that being said - these are lessons taken from my own personal experiences

okay enough with the disclaimers already

let's get to it

GET LOST IN EACH OTHER

those of you who are close to me know....

i'm a bit of a control freak

i color coordinate my book shelves

i consider the enemy to be 'visual clutter'

organization turns me on

seriously the container store shelfing catalog i got this week in the mail is my porn

and i really get excited planning out my week

BUT if it's not on the schedule- we aren't doing it, it's not going to happen

i have to say- this habit of perfection, planning, and controlling got downsized (thank god)

in our first year of marriage thanks to taylor

one of the things i love most about him is the fact that he encourages me to be spontaneous

to go with the flow

to get out

and get

LOST

and most of all

to let it go and

SMILE

and that it's the little things

that aren't really things at all but experiences

that matter most

sorry to go all sappy on you

but i am a hopeless romantic

and what can i say?

i love my man

what are your plans for valentines day?

taylor and i are having a casual romantic dinner

then chillin' at home by the fire listening to kenny g

while i read sonnets professing my undying love for edward cullen

uhhh i mean taylor- DUH?! my husband

then our lovely gift exchange- something bought&something made

i really LOVE expressing my feelings creatively

through the art of dance

{ha! sorry i couldn't pass up that opportunity to throw that in there}

the part i'm looking forward to the most

is our card exchange

we always give one real card

and one cheesy card

and we see who wins with the cheese factor

he beat me at christmas but this valentines day i'm going to dominate!

seriously- my card for taylor

is just that good

hopefully i'll have the evidence to prove my victory after next monday

(aka- the card in all it's glory)

around the house

this weekend we laid low and stayed close to home

it was lovely

there was some of this

tasty mocktails

hanging art

homemade turkey chili

potting plants

hanging out

new beauty

tasty toppings for breakfast tacos

table is set!

the only time we went 'out' was for dinner and a movie

with my parents on friday

we saw biutiful and it was dark, tragic and beautiful

hope you all had a great weekend

currently i'm procrastinating with the pile of work and deadlines i'm under

can i rewind and go back friday?

minus the cold freeze

oh- i almost forgot

i also starting pinning!

what is pinning?

check out my pinterest page

HERE

follow me and pin along

but i'm warning you

it's addictive

xo

av

FIVE on FRIDAY

FIVE ON FRIDAY

sometimes i get adventurous and i go hunting for treasures on ebay

being cooped up in the house and without immediate

access to my favorite vintage hunting grounds

DOLLY PYTHON

or

LULA B's

check out this beauty from

AMERICAN ARCHIVE

this vintage silk 80's zig zag dress

would be perfect for a party

or drinks with the girls

i adore everything about this MID CENTURY MODERN pink&green planter

perfect for planting succulants

{husband- can you add this to my bday wish list}

i know just the credenza that is longing to don this

DANISH WOOD TRAY

i love the lines on this-absolutely stunning

i searched 'HEAD VASES' and found this precious nun

i think she is a true beauty

and looking at her peaceful face makes me smile

call me quirky or weird(i am)

i don't care

but i truly love this part head/part dog planter

found on ebay but for the life of me can't find the link

what's your

FIVE on FRIDAY?

a high five that the week is over?

a movie date night with 5 bags of popcorn?

that would be painful

i hope everyone has a great weekend!

-xo-

av

cold weather remedies

for the past 2 days we have been iced in people!

(in dallas you can't really call it snowed in can you?)

what do you do when the temps are freezing

and you are under house arrest?

i wake and drink some of this black magic

oh the glory of it

snuggle with this cutie

dream about warmer climates

and shoes

google hair tutorials

yes i'll admit it- i'm a hair tutorial addict

i LOVE watching the process unfold

this top bun is a fun one

more hair fun!

who doesn't want these carrie bradshaw beach waves?

learn how step by step

watched this cute film for kate spade new york

i love the lyrics

please fill me in

and don't be shy!:)

how were your days off filled?

how do you stay warm

under this winter gloom?

what's your favorite snow day memory?

i remember one day in college classes were canceled at OU(univ of oklahoma)

and the roads were pretty icy

i was dating taylor and only got to see him briefly every other weekend because

he was at university of north texas

the moment it was announced classes were called off

i booked it to NT in denton to see him

it was so dangerous driving in the snow but such a romantic journey to take to see him

i was young, crazy and stupid-in-love

looking back i should have stayed put but it was so worth it to see my man

this n' that

with the current dallas weather conditions

i'm not shy about my longing for warmer days

found

love these worn and tattered brushes

art is made

found

type love!

nuggets of wisdom

i love this room

perfection!

an alternative and creative way

to showcase and hang your baubles

found

amazing paper installations

by nami yamamoto

stick it to me

just in time for valentines

yesterday while under house arrest from being 'snowed' in

i enjoyed gathering this n' that

i was also able to start reading our book for febs' book club

LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN

i'm only in the first chapter and i can already tell

i'm going to love it

happy hump day bloggies!

wherever you are and whatever you are doing

i'm hoping you are enjoying your own version of this n' that

happy birthday cookie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOKIE!

it's cookies' special day

yes that's my moms' (carol baker) g-ma name

as you can tell from these pictures

she is one proud grandma

besides being a loving grandma

she is so many things to so many people

a mother

a wife

a daughter

a sister

a nurturer

a friend

she is always looking out for everyone around her

and going above and beyond to take care of us all

thanks mom for all the amazing lessons you've taught me!

you are a strong and loving force and i'm glad to have you as my mother

and in my more adult years(i guess you can call me that;)

i'm glad to call you a friend, and a mother

i hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration despite this 'storm'

and as you have taught me- you better celebrate all month long!

i love you mom

happy birthday!

anatomy of a dress

with the current 'winter storm' dallas is under

i can't help but dreaming of warmer climates and vacation inspired activities

where better to draw inspiration from than the latest and greatest fashions to be for spring?

DRESSES!

a leisure drive and a picnic would be nice

especially when champagne is involved- so fancy!

ahh sailing

as long as i'm not the captain i'm game

(side story- i was traumatized at camp longhorn when i was a summer counselor

and was forced to take six 8yr olds out in a little sail boat screaming

as the wind knocked us all over!

i had to maintain my cool but was screaming inside)

this burnout tee dress makes me want to hang 10

a date with mr.handsome at a parisian cafe

just in time for valentines

this is my idea of a perfect vacation

dresses madewell/ jcrew/ free people/anthro/anthro

i'll be posting another post in couple

for someones' very special day:)