Monday, October 10, 2011

West Elm - Love

I know it seems like I've all but given up on this blog considering the long breaks in between posts, but I honestly haven't.

There's just a part of me, lately, that feels like living in the real world instead of behind the lens of the camera. I've decided to put the camera down for a bit and just live life. It's freeing, and at the same time, bitter sweet. There have been moments when I wished I would have brought my camera along to capture those belly aching, laugh so hard moments that seem to creep up whenever we as a family are out and about. There are times when Alex is bent out of shape over one thing or another and I wished I'd had my camera to capture her pouty, scrunched up face. Sometimes, as good as it may be, the phone on my camera just doesn't do the moment justice.

This past weekend we went to visit the brand new West Elm in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. What a remarkable place. Even though for years now I've inhaled all of their catalogs and drooled over their website, I was beginning to think the whole thing was a myth. Now my dreams have come true. West Elm is here and it isn't a mirage.

The store is beautiful, just like I thought it would be. The goods are lovely {and some, a bit pricey}, though not surprisingly so. My only disappointment, it was only one floor. What the what?!?









Is it possible to fall madly in love with an ottoman?



There were several items at West Elm that I wanted desperately to bring home, including these ceramic pieces. The checkout line wound around the store and with the children, I thought better than to keep them waiting in a store full of breakable objects, so I left without buying a darn thing - dang! I said good-bye to my love, Ottoman, and also a "see you soon" to the ceramic pieces. The Ottoman was $600 so I don't think I'll be buying that, ever. I'm now on the hunt for its doppelganger. Eh, love is fickle.


After West Elm, and a lunch break at Whole Foods, we took the -- now don't giggle -- S. L. U. T. {South Lake Union Transit} to downtown Seattle.  




These hats were a big hit with me and the girls, but Jon wasn't having them so these stayed at the store too. In hindsight, I think they are a tad Jerseylicious for a five and eight year old.

Still... so cute. HA!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Vegas

Only in Vegas will you find me in a photo booth wearing a cowboy hat and apparently throwing up gang signs. My husband was right along with me, joker hat and all. What were we thinking!?


We were in Vegas over the weekend to attend a friend's wedding and boy was it fun. Jon and I are not gamblers so we didn't touch a slot machine or card table, instead we did the tourist thing, walking the strip checking out the shops and hotels. Is it me or is everything just way over the top crazy in Vegas?


I couldn't help taking pictures of everything in our hotel room even though I've stayed in plenty. Don't you just love the light embedded in this mirror? Snap snap!!... had to take pictures of it!


I really dislike having my picture taken. I'm trying to look natural and instead I look like I'm in severe pain. Trust me, I wasn't in pain, I was having fun and loving every moment of our trip.


My Gomer Pyle was in full force, "Gaawwwwly, you can buy alcohol out of a Slurpee machine... in the daytime? (Pickup jaw from floor).



Leave it to me to stop to admire the sweet treats.


Yes, my eyes are closed and that's completely normal for me.


The wedding couldn't have been more beautiful set under the clear night sky, moonlight dancing across the water. Cheers to the happy couple.