Two Years

Today marks two years of being married to the love of my life! Time has flown by so fast it is incredibly hard to believe it's been two years already! I believe the first two years are the hardest. They feel easy but the first two years build the foundation for the future, our future. The past couple of years have been wonderful yet challenging. While we have managed those moments beautifully by supporting each other through one of the hardest times, I am very excited for what the future holds for us. B, thank you for being my best friend, my partner in life and love. I am so grateful for all the support, love and strength you have given me over the past years. You are my rock, and my very own fortune!

I love you.

xox

Napa

Last week we enjoyed beautiful days away from home in wonderful Napa. I am so glad our initial plans did not get cancelled after all. So, so glad. We had such a lovely time, saw the prettiest views and sunsets, drank wonderful wine and enjoyed fantastic lunches and dinners. We love Napa. Not only is this the place we got married last year it is also a place to calm down, relax, and just be happy. It is not too far from where we live so this is convenient. However, I have to say, Northern California doesn't only have Napa when it comes to wine, and I have to admit I feel Napa is quite overpriced sometimes but hey, which majorly known place isn't?! We love Napa.

Here we go...my photos of our fun trip.

We stayed at the Meritage and enjoyed every minute of it. I usually do not like big hotels but have to say I liked staying at this one. Yes, it's expensive, but how many times do you get to celebrate something big?! Exactly. Plus I wanted a view overlooking the pool as well as the vineyard and I received both. :) I win!
And despite people thinking it was noisy being so close to the pool, I have to say there was no noise whatsoever. Very impressive.

 

We had reservations for the Napa Valley Wine Train and enjoyed our very delicious lunch from start to finish. About a week before we went on our ride, there was this group of about nine women who got escorted off the train. It was all over the news. Whatever the reason, these ladies must have been super loud, disruptive and doing something wrong. It certainly had nothing to do with race as some claim. When we went we had all kinds of "races" on our train and no one was escorted off. Apparently, I read, they were asked three times to be quieter, it is a fine dining restaurant after all. Despite this negative cloud hovering over our ride it was well worth it. It's not the cheapest ride but if you want to experience something new, something different...and maybe are celebrating something special, I'd suggest trying out the Wine Train.

Also, with my gluten sensitivity I was given gluten free options...hello?! Awesomeness. I wasn't sure how they were handling my request but upon making the reservation I told them I had a gluten sensitivity so they made sure everything was perfect. They didn't even ask, they said "here's your gluten free appetizer selection". YUM. Coming from the hospitality service industry I call this perfect service!

 

 

Some more random photos of the Napa Valley!

 

We went to a few wineries, among them our favorite Raymond, we then stopped by Castello di Amorosa and Chateau Montelena among many many wineries. I loved Castello di Amorosa but only for its views and the history. However, the whole winery looked and felt like it was made for tourists. I knew this beforehand but hoped it was not as dramatic as it sounded. Let's just say it was loud when we tasted wine and we felt like sardines. Definitely not a place I would come back to taste wine...only to buy wine because after having tasted ten different kinds I know which ones are my favorites. :) Plus, Castello only sells their wines at their vineyard and nowhere else.

We ended up buying wine and we are good until maybe the next time we visit Napa...like in five years?! Hahaha! Yes, we bought a ton of wine. We enjoyed ourselves, don't judge!

A Napa trip will not be perfect without a trip to the Oxbow Public Market to stroll around and eat, and have dessert at Kara's Cupcakes. Love their cupcakes. Whether you want gluten free or regular cupcakes...they are the best. Sprinkles and Crumbs can say bye bye. Well, okay, maybe not exactly but Kara's is amazing!!!!

Needless to say our trip to Napa was a success. Cannot wait to go back one day.

xoxo

first image credit Traci Thomas

One Year

 

It's hard to believe it's been one whole year since B and I said "I Do." All day we have been talking about our special day and how simply beautiful it was. We were blessed with gorgeous California weather and were surrounded by great people on the most important day of our lives. Our first year has challenged both of us but we also believe it has made us stronger and appreciate each other better.  I'm so lucky to have B for a partner. I know we have many fun adventures ahead of us and I cannot wait to share it with him. 

Thanks for an amazing first year! I love you!

xoxo

image via here

Why You Should Care About Your Anniversary

This weekend we will be celebrating our six month anniversary. I cannot believe how fast time flies. It is times like this that remind me that time is fluid and we should enjoy every single day to the fullest. Not saying we are not but we often take certain things for granted. Yes, it's been six months and holy cow in half a year it will be one full year. Unbelievable. 

Do we have any plans?! Of course we do. Well, of course I do. I am the planner. You see, I have always been the one organizing, planning, figuring out things, getting it all ready and prepared. I am OCD like that. I need that. The more details added to an event the better. The more possibilities the better {sometimes also worse}. So realizing a half-anniversary is coming up I was ready. I am ready.

Why everyone should care about an anniversary is simple. It is a time to celebrate something special. It is time to celebrate life, love, happiness, and just a fantastic time. Granted there are anniversaries that do not make us happy. My cousin's life is one of them. However, it is still a time to cherish what that person once was and what that person did to the world, to people, to us. It is still a time to celebrate. 

An anniversary can be many things but in my opinion is only one thing: a reminder of happiness.

I am ready to celebrate six months. 

How? Besides getting dressed all cute and looking all beautiful...the plan is to escape our current city and head on over to my favorite city ever. A stop at our absolute favorite cupcake place is a must, a stroll along the water, a few hikes up those beautiful hills, a fun photo shoot, and just a day full of laughter, smiles, jokes, and great food {plus, I have to make him love that city more; he hasn't fully warmed up to it yet}. It is not a one-year anniversary so we will not go overboard. It is the little things that count and all those cherished moments that will enrich our daily life.

So, why you should care about your anniversary?!
Because it is part of your chosen life and part of you. In short, because the anniversary is YOU. Cherish you, spoil you, and most importantly love you.

xoxo

One Month

One month ago I married my best friend.
We are so different, and yet, we are so alike.
We think we are clones, made on different continents at different times and raised to different standards. We get along, we think alike, we laugh alike, and we breathe alike. That should be enough for now. Haha. We differ when it comes to watching TV {after all I am a girl and love my girlie shows}, and we differ when it comes to how much food we consume but other than that, we are ying and yang, the black to the white. Very easy. I cannot believe it has been one month. I also cannot believe I have not shared photos with you. One day, I promise. 

Until then I am drinking some bubbly!!

image via here