last week in phone pics + my baby is MISERABLE

My poor little girl is SICK.SICK.SICK. I cannot even describe how miserable she is -- and has been all weekend long. Since the symptoms started on Saturday, I tried to take her to a free clinic located in CVS on Sunday and they wouldn't accept kids under 2 years. I asked the receptionist, "even if she's only 4 months short?!" and the lady replied, "yup." BASTARDS.

So I was finally able to get her a doctor's appointment today and guess what?! Not only does Brooke have croup, but she has TWO ear infections, is wheezing (now needs a nebullizer) and alongside the croup, has stridor. :(((((( My poor, sweet baby. I am just hoping and praying she feels better soon.

Here are some pictures I unearthed from my phone from last week

My healthy, fun-loving, CRAZY little girl. I hope she's back soon...


My lunch one day last week ... strawberries + brown sugar

Smile?


Our good friends welcomed their 2nd son, Ryder Lawrence, a big brother for Kayden Thomas. He is so tiny and precious, we couldn't be happier for their family!


Sneak peek of my DIY project for Valentine's day ... will be including instructions when it's finito!


My insane dog, Zoe Penelope

things I love + afternoon outside

I am LOVING this magazine: http://www.matchbookmag.com/. Seriously, love.

I am loving this blog entry about fashionable juxtaposition


I am appalled at the videos of 'vodka eyeballing' -- seriously people, can't we just get drunk the old fashioned way?!

I am loving looking into fashionistas' closets at The Coveted, which I spotted here

I am a sucker for these old school pot holders-- I have one so far and plan on building my collection

Some etsy sites I am loving: one, two, three

It's been beautiful all week long... We spent another afternoon in our backyard blowing bubbles for the dogs and running around in the grass


Brooke is trying to learn how to blow bubbles too


She has the CHUBBIEST and WIDEST feet I have ever seen.



Her Aunty Nicky taught her to smell the flowers, so every time we pass a flower we have to smell it!


Vance went in the house to grab something and here's her expression:


"Where did you go daddy?" [Really, she was saying that at this very moment]

Laughing when he came back out


Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

aesthetic thursday

first two pictures from here


One of my absolute favorite movies ... and was almost Brooke's name!

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Next two pictures from here

No one is more fabulous than Audrey Hepburn

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Don't forget to click here for a giveaway!

Handbag help & an award..

Okay ladies, I told you I have been on a handbag hunt for awhile and I decided to bite the bullet and save up for a more expensive bag, like these Marc Jacobs one. I realize that to some fashionistas, these are not even that expensive, but I haven't bought myself a handbag in a long time (Vance typically buys them for me) and so I'm pretty apalled at the prices. Aaaanyway.

Option 1
I love this bag. The only catch is that it is FIFTY DOLLARS more expensive than Option 2 (retail) and the reason? The top strap, which makes it more versatile. I need perspective... is it really worth the fifty bucks?! And before you ask me, "well, are you going to use the top strap or will you use it as a cross-body bag" my answer is "I have no clue" UPDATE: I just found option 2 on Ebay for cheaper than in store so this makes Option 1 over $100 more expensive than option 2-- worth it or not?)


Option 2
Also gorgeous-- I love the style. No top strap. Over $100 bucks less. Tell me your input please :)
(Oh and it would be in black of course)

Thank you to Mitzi for presenting me with this beautiful award!


How It Works:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 10 great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

7 things about myself
1. I've been in love with Johnny Depp for as long as I can remember. Some other crushes include Chace Crawford & Kellan Lutz
2. Under my myspace (remember those days?!) "Who I'd Like To Meet" section I had a picture of Johnny Depp, Oprah and Harry Potter. :)
3. My favorite celeb-fashionistas include Lauren Conrad, Rachel Bilson & Nicole Richie
4. I am super excited to watch the Royal Wedding. (Yes they deserve caps). I can't wait to tell Brooke we watched Kate Middleton become a real-life princess. Let's all hope (sincerely) that their marriage is happier than Charles and Diana's was.
5. I read Perez Hilton, E! online and Twitter [I follow my favorite celebs] every day.
6. I'd never do it, but I love the look and courage of girls who get tattoos all over their body (esp. sleeves)
7. You know the saying "do what you love?" I'm still trying to figure out what that is!
My 10 awardees:
1. Tart
2. The Exposed Mom
3. From Shopping Bags to Diaper Bags
4. The Undomestic Momma
5. lowercase letters
6. As the Forest(e) Grows
7. Cowboy Boots & Baby Booties
8. Life as a California Wife
9. M Loves M
10. Lee La La

There ya have it!
Don't forget to check out Marissa's Bunny for their giveaway!

Introducing Theodore & .. pictures at a funeral?

Again, please check out Marissa's Bunny for their Macbook Giveaway!

Meet Theodore. My adorable, easy to care for hamster. Hamsters are actually not legal in Hawaii, but Theo is. My cousin bought Brooke Zhu Zhu pets for Christmas and I hadn't opened it (I was actually going to return it), but when they brought theirs to dinner at my parents the other night, she was all over it!

So we went home and opened Theo...


And I had a little too much fun with our photo shoot. Isn't he cute, eating his pretzel?

She loves him and the noises he makes

Petting Theo

Putting him in his "house"

I am so ashamed, but Vance and I went out and bought her another one. I think we'll name her Sadie. Theodore & Sadie.. what a nice mix :)

Yesterday was my aunt's funeral service. I am always under the impression that funerals are not the time or place to take pictures, but my 13 or 14 year old cousin has a different perspective. Anyway, here are some pictures I stole off of her facebook page:

Isn't she adorable? And way, way too mature for her age.

More pics..

Last one

And my beautiful aunt who was beautiful inside AND out, who always had a smile on her face and loved RPG video games. But above all, who touched the lives of everyone around her and will be missed by our family...

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.
Ashley Smith

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

And my absolute favorite:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver

Getting my hair did + park fun

Went from this:


to this:

Brooke and I have been going to the park almost every day this past week. For me, the park playground = free fun. For Brooke the park playground = weeeee! (slides)

Beautiful day in January

My girly

:)

Chillin!

Okay, this is the STRANGEST thing. My daughter, at the ripe age of 20 months, is afraid of heights (I think). She used to run all over the playground and just recently, for no apparent reason at all, will not stand up on the playground. Here she is trying to walk...

see the look of terror on her face?

Then crawling, which she did for the remainder of our park day

Trying to drag her milk up the playground

Getting ready to leave

After we walked around walmart, I bought Brooke some stickers to play around with in the car. This is what I saw when I opened the door to bring her inside the house:

clearly she doesn't quite 'get' stickers yet!


Oh, and please check out Marissa's Bunny for their Macbook Giveaway!

aesthetic thursday

Jesse James and Kat Von D are engaged already?! Some of the comments are worth reading, hilarious..

As promised, Aesthetic Thursday will be changed a little. Here are some of the later pictures that I've had my eye on...

Love this entire look. The bag is so gorgeous and I'm still on a bag hunt..

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These chunky necklaces and jacket are so chic!

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Really liking the hat and bag, though i'd never wear the hat. (Just not a hat person really)

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I'm thinking I need to make some friendship bracelets sometime soon. Or buy them? As I type this, I am wearing Mickey Mouse silly bandz and they always cheer me up.

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So pretty

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Also...

Don't forget that Marissa's Bunny is having an amazing Macbook Air giveaway! Worth a chance to check it out at least :)