Gratitude.

Well, I can tell you what I am most grateful for right now: the fact that I am heading to Tahoe with my family in a few short hours! It’s becoming an annual trip, and although it’s quick, it feels just right.

As I continue this gratitude journal, I am finding specific people, characteristics and events that I am continuously grateful for. Example- my sister. Each day may be something specific about her & our relationship that I am grateful for, but in the end, I am always just grateful for her.

- Monday morning was warm & the birds were literally chirping. It made for a beautiful walk to work, especially on an early Monday morning!

-I am grateful for new friends that expand my horizons and help me grow as person. Look Ma, I’m making new friends!

-A passion for interior design. I love working with people to turn their houses into home they truly love.

-A passion for the simple things in life. A quite morning. A good beer. Little details at a party that make someone extra happy ( I love a good party!).

-Another re-accuring theme: travel. I am so thankful I grew up in a family where travel was essential. I prefer to be on a plane once a month, if I can make it happen. I’m thankful I’m not on a plane alone (which is fine too & just as fun), but also spending time traveling with the people I love.

The photo above is from our wedding day in the Nines Hotel room where I got ready. “Nothing in the past or future will ever feel like today.”  Pretty good quote for a wedding day, yes?

Have a wonderful weekend & be grateful!

Carpe Diem,

Mandy

Photo by Niki Rhodes.

Gratitude.

Hello friends! Hope everyone had a wonderful week. This weekend should be jam packed with Portland events; a friends birthday, a trip to the Opera, a night at the Winter Hawks game + the Super Bowl & probably some house hunting in between.

Here’s what I am grateful for this week:

-My parents insanely savvy business knowledge. After owning their own company for 2 decades + a handful before that, I know I have so much to learn from them & am thankful they are great teachers in this field.

-I am thankful for where I am at in my life professionally and personally. For someone with a late birthday & no younger siblings, I am always the youngest person around. I’ve embraced the fact that most people think I am older than I actually am as a positive thing.

-I am thankful for Zach planning double date nights this weekend. I look forward to a fancy date night tonight at the Opera & a beer + pizza filled date night at the Winter Hawks game for Saturday!

-For supportive friends & family during our house hunting process. We’re tired. We’re ready. And I am sure our circle of family + friends are tired of hearing about it, but supportive none the less.

-On to house hunting again: I think I’ve finally learned what patience is! Never thought that day would come…

What are you thankful for this week? Do share!

Carpe Diem,

Mandy

Chandeliers

I know outdoor chandeliers are no new concept, but ever since I’ve started dreaming and scheming for a girlfriends outdoor vineyard wedding this summer, I’ve become slightly obsessed with the idea. The drama! The flair! The light!

I simply love the idea for events, but I also love the idea for dressing up a backyard too. As we’ve been on the house hunt, I will soon have my very own back yard for the first time e-v-e-r. I’m thinking it might need a chandelier. Let’s see if I can convince the Mr. on that one though!

This Ikea chandelier could do the trick. It is also ideal for outside because well, it’s 40 bucks and really won’t last more than one summer, let alone one impromptu rain storm. Here’s what I’m going for (I’ll take the house too…)

What do you think? Am I crazy? In my opinion, chandeliers are always a good idea. Champagne too.

Happy Thursday!

Carpe Diem,

Mandy

Image 1/2/3/4/5

Wanderlust Wednesday: Palm Desert, CA

Within the last week, the thick of winter has hit Portland. It’s dark, rainy, wet and cold for more hours than it should be. This weather got me day dreaming about our annual Thanksgiving trip to Palm Springs, so thought I’d share some sunny, warm photos on the blog today!

Palm Desert is a sunshine filled haven for me. I spend my days there  not doing much, mostly eating & lounging with family. This last trip, we went estate shopping & oh-my-goodness is it amazing! I wish I had driven a uhaul so I could buy everything up at crazy prices and bring them back to Oregon with me. I’m still dreaming about this $80 black trimmed geometric mirror with brass accents….next time, I will not let it out of my hands!

I finally popped into The Parker Palm Springs and I loved it. Jonathan Adler sure is a character and his designs are funky, yet flawless. The scene is begging you to stay for a cocktail.

Thankfully, we’re heading off to Tahoe next weekend to escape this crummy weather and enjoy sunny, snowy & crisp weather instead! Hope these bright photos encourage a sunny trip on your horizon or at least provided a good distraction from the chill outdoors.

Carpe Diem,

Mandy

Gratitude

Another week down, another week filled with gratitude. After only being at this for 3 weeks, it truly gets harder as each week passes. With each day though, my appreciation for the little things grows & I am able to grasp a broader range of moments I can be grateful for.

-I am thankful for a few quiet, peaceful and restorative minutes eating lunch outside on a beautiful sunny, but very very cold Portland day. You gotta do what you gotta do to get that vitamin D in PDX this time of year! Our dry & sunny weather also allowed me to take a quick walk up into the West Hills one evening for some mini-exercise and a killer view.

-Simple pleasures in life such as a lazy Saturday morning spent sleeping in and walking to a local bakery for breakfast.

- More & more friends are getting engaged! It’s such a wonderful, celebratory time in our lives as we all begin to truly settle down with the ones we love. I know this period won’t last forever, which is more cause for celebration, on top of the general giddiness.

-An invigorating lunch with my sister as we dreamed and schemed about upcoming adventures together as a power team. OH YEA, WORLD!

-Zach knocked it outta the park with husband duties this week, including breakfast in bed to cure a morning migraine.

Also, what do you think about the quote above? I was instantly drawn to it when I first snapped this photo in Venice at the Guggenheim Museum.

Have a great weekend!

Carpe Diem,
Mandy

Wanderlust Wednesday: New York City

Last but not least for our trip to NYC, I wanted to share a collection of miscellaneous photos I snapped through out the trip that don’t really have any significance other than that they are New York City. Plus, a few of my favorite Polaroid pictures (and an epic shot of Radio City Music Hall!). Enjoy!

 

Carpe Diem,

Mandy

Happy Monday

By now, you know I’m all about positive change. If you don’t like something about your life: change it. Only you can. I spotted these quotes yesterday and wanted to share them to brighten up this Monday (that came far too quickly)!

Life is all a view point and a choice. We have the choice to view tribulations as opportunity. We have the choice to seize the day  today. It may not be easy, but at least we have the choice.

Another blurb I found mentioned, “Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue, you will change.”  I think the same goes for fear; fear of the future & of what we can have in this world. It holds us back because sometimes what we want is really awesome and really big and we convince ourselves through fear that it’s undeserving. In actuality, the best part happens when we continue and we change and we grow.

I found the first quote via Sara Tucker’s Blog (on an eloquently written post about babies & marriage) and I think I’m going to need it in a giant frame asap. It is such a beautiful quote and delicate reminder how crazy-awesome love is. Let’s be wildly faithful today, shall we?

Carpe Diem,

Mandy

Images 1/2/3/4