Home.

Sunday was just one of those lazy, turned wonderful days. I had planned to wake up early and work out, but I was all kinds of tired and sunburned after spending Saturday at the air show. Instead, I decided to give myself a little break and it was marvelous. I slept in (ok so sleeping in to me means sleeping until 8:30am hehe), caught up on all things trashygood on Bravo, and spent the rest of the morning cleaning with Nadav. Yes cleaning, and you know what? It felt good. These days I feel like we're always doing fun and exciting things on the weekend, and that leaves us little time to just be together and take care of our little beach bungalow. I loved it, and yes I am aware that my newfound appreciation for cleaning is a sign that I am getting old(er).

Either way around 2pm, our desire for a little Funday in our Sunday got the best of us, and we decided to take our little love fest outdoors. We ventured to Liberty Station for a little exploring (aka I wanted to take some pictures hehe) and some lunch.

Dress- c/o Kendall K, Necklace- c/o Lucid New York

Nadav is giong to kill me for posting this photo hehe

Kendall K. made my dress, and she sells the cutest pieces in her shop. Go check out her prettiness, and then enter promo code: avocado at checkout for $30 off any piece in the Spring 2012 Collection.

Suuhhweet right? =P

 P.S. Today is the very last day to enter to win the pretzel charm necklace I'm wearing in the photos above. =) Make sure you enter before it's too late.

Airplanes

I'm a tidbit afraid of heights, which means I am completely in awe of people who get in a plane and do all kinds of crazy tricks. It's just madness to me... well madness that I really enjoy watching, when it's in the form of an air show ;)

Nadav's brother is a pilot in the air force (fancy right?), and last weekend we checked out the airshow at his reserve base. It was quite the lovely (and hot) day. We played with Nadav's nephew the entire day, spent time with family, took in the show, checked out some planes, and got sunburned (what's new? =P).
Does any one else get emotional when patriotic songs are played at air shows? Maybe that's just me =P

Inside the carrier

Basically the best face ever.

Oh you know.. just hanging out (under a plane)

Yes we're aware, he looks like he could be our kid.. but he's not haha

Nadav's sister-in-law and I. We kinda like each other =P

So thankful for my freedom.

Wishing you a happy and meaningful week

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Lucid New York pretzel necklace giveaway =)

I Need A Vacation.

Lately all I've been thinking about is how much I want to get away for a little vacation to explore a new place. Lets just say I have a serious case of wanderlust.
(Yes, I know I live by the beach in San Diego... and I shouldn't be feeling too bad for myself =P)

But I can't seem to shake it... summer is almost here, and I have a serious urge to get away. I had planned to attend Blogher in NYC this summer, but due to circumstances that are not in my control I am no longer able to attend Blogher. I am really bummed about this, and wanted to say thank you to those of you who have supported me in my attempt to attend the conference.

Today I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself, set some goals, and make my dream trip to Europe a reality... even if it's not going to happen this summer. Nadav and I are going to sit down this weekend, find out exactly how many frequent flyer miles we have, where we want to go, for how long, and figure out exactly how to make that trip a reality.

And in the meantime... I'm going to reminisce over pictures we've taken during past trips. Sighhh

Oahu

Checking out the elephant seals on the way up to NorCal

Another Oahu photo

Do you have any advice regarding European travel? Where to stay? Where to go? Where to EAT (that's a big one for me hehe)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend

and don't forget to enter the Lucid New York pretzel necklace giveaway =) 

Thankfully

When I first started this blog I used to post a happy list each week..

I really enjoyed putting together those lists and somewhere along the line keeping up with those lists became kinda difficult. I guess life got in the way, eh?

These days I'm working finding that balance, and making an effort to blog about what I really want to blog about.. which apparently is a happy list.

And not just a happy list, it's a happy and thankful list.

Because I've been thinking, life isn't just about being happy, it's about being thankful and recognizing the small things in life that make you happy.

So this week, I bring you...
A Happy And Very Thankful List

because really, I have a lot to be thankful for. ;)

1. Making the time to reflect and be thankful. Sometimes I get so lost in the busyness of life that I forget to just sit and be present.
2. Watching this kid (aka Nadav's nephew) fall asleep in my arms.

3. A hug and a thank you from the parents of one of the kids' I work with. It means a lot to know that they appreciate the work I do.
4. Seeing this view each day... I'm so so grateful

5. That moment when you get in the car, turn on the radio, and your favorite song comes on.
6.The warmer weather and the summer months that are fast approaching.

7. Romantical evening bike rides with my man. 

8. A hot chocolate kinda brunch instead of a mimosa kinda brunch. =P

9. Surviving my shopping freeze, and the sense of accomplishment that develops from saving money and learning to budget.
10. This blog. The friends I have made, the opportunities that have arisen, and the lessons it has taught me. Thanks little ol' blog.. and thanks to all of you who read and comment. Your time and words mean more to me than you know.

Hope you have a happy and thankful kind of day...

and make sure you enter the Lucid New York pretzel necklace giveaway =) 

 

Lucid New York Jewelry Giveaway

This necklace?

Yes it is a gold necklace with a pretzel charm,
yes I picked it out myself,
and yes...

It is my FAVORITE.

Anna of Lucid New York made that pretzel loveliness and I have worn it every single day since it arrived in my mailbox. 

And hooray, you can enter to win this pretzel necklace loveliness below!

Good Luck =)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Anna makes the most beautiful handmade jewelry in her shop Lucid New York. If you're anything like me, you will want everything in her shop! =)

 

Levain Bakery Copycat Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

Last September Nadav and I went on a vacay to New York City, and before we left we were told we had to go to Levain Bakery and try their famous cookies.

We went, we ate, we conquered.. and the cookies? They were de bomb.

I have fond memories of those cookies, and when I found a recipe for a Levain Bakery copy cat chocolate chip walnut cookie recipe on Love From The Oven I did a serious happy dance.

On Saturday night Nadav and I decided to stay home, watch the Lakers game, and eat some cheap Mexican food. Halfway through the night I get the urge.. the urge to bake some cookies, and these masterpieces happened.

And I'm going to go there... these are officially the BEST cookies I have ever made.

What You Need:
2 sticks butter – cold and cut into cubes
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cups light brown sugar
3/4 cups dark brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour (you may need slightly less or more)
1 & 1/2  tsp salt (I prefer sea salt)
2 tsp cornstartch
1 & 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips – I used one cup regular semi-sweet chips and one cup mini chips
Optional – 1/2 block of semi-sweet or dark chocolate (not unsweetened baker’s chocolate)
Optional – 1 cup walnuts or pecans


What You Need To Do:
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2.  In a large bowl/mixer bowl, cream together cubed butter and sugars until well blended and fluffy.
3.  Add eggs, one at a time, until well mixed.
4.  Add flour, salt, cornstartch, baking powder, baking soda & salt to butter, sugar and egg mixture until just combined. This should be a very thick mixture, and not sticky. If your dough is still sticky, try adding more flour, 1/8-1/4 cup at a time.
5.  Add in chocolate chips and nuts. If you are using a block of chocolate, you will want to grate it and add it in as well.
6.  Combine the dough and chocolate chips.
7.  Divide into portions to bake. Leave lots of space between each ball and do not flatten the dough.
8.  Put into the oven to bake for approximately 10 minutes. Watch closely and make sure you pull them out as soon as they start to lightly brown.
9.   Let cool and remove from pan.

You must try these cookies....
They are wayyyy too good!

  
P.S. Today is the last day to enter to win a $20 shop credit to Row House 14 for some pretty stationary. Make sure you get in on that goodness =)
P.P.S. Want to ad space on my blog and 5 other great blogs? Go to Shannon's blog and enter

I'm Gonna Ride My Bicycle

I've had my Love bicycle for a few years and have waited not so patiently for Nadav to get his own bike. You know, I pictured us taking long romantical rides along the boardwalk and maybe stopping for some frozen yogurt along the way. =P
 On Saturday afternoon Nadav finally found the "right" bike on clearance. We took it home, I did happy dances, and he put it together as quickly as I could nag him to do it. We took our bikes down to Pacific Beach and my romantical bike ride dreams came true (except for the frozen yogurt part.. that will just have to wait until next time, which will hopefully be tonight =P).

San Diego, I heart you.

Isn't my bike a beauty? I love her.

Blouse-Madewell (similar), Cardigan- J. Crew (similar), Jean Shorts-Roxy (similar), Flip Flops-Rainbow, Sunglasses-Kate Spade

Belmont Park

Bike Love.

I'm convinced that there are few things more wonderful than an evening beach bike ride.

Wishing you a very sweet week =)

 
 
P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a $20 shop credit to Row House 14 for some pretty stationary
P.P.S. You can also find me on House Of Glass today sharing a bit about our trip to Maui