Ahhhh...I just can't seem to stay away from Aritzia! I know I should, for the sake of my wallet but I just can't. I love how everything just fits really well, I decided to go back and grab a few more items, most of which I already have but in other colors (another romper...pink this time, lace tank tunic in pastel tiffany blue, and striped sweater). I have also special ordered a few other pieces that I can't wait to get!!

Enough about the awesome shopping...on another note, I decided to cut my bangs again. I just can't seem to leave my hair alone for very long. I hope I don't get bored and decide to cut it! Eeek!!! Which reminds me, only FOUR more months til the wedding...*sigh. I have so much to do! Every time I think about doing stuff I get overwhelmed. So, instead of doing anything tonight, I will pour myself a glass of wine, sit back, relax and indulge myself with the mindless television that I love so much...the Hills, the City and 90210.

Ciao!

looking forward to spring/summer...well, i suppose spring is here, i just want it to warm up a little bit more!!  can't wait to wear the new spring styles, although i'd say the styles aren't really new but more updates of  '80s and '90s looks.  I am loooovin' all the new florals, calico and vintage prints and colors and extra femme pieces with a dash of edge!  My new favorite purchases- romper, floral skirt, baggy shorts, motorcycle jacket, lace tunics (all from aritzia), bookworm overalls and peter pan top (free people) and floral scarf.  I am a very happy girl this season : ) 

Julie/Julia and J

Went to the movies with a couple of girlfriends last night, we watched Julie/Julia.  For those of you who have never heard of it, the movie is based on two true stories.  One, of Julia Child and how she came to live in Paris and become the revolutionary chef we all know and the other story is about Julie Powell, who's blog is inspired by Julia Child and her recipes.  I thought the movie was very well done and the stories were woven together perfectly.  It made me laugh, feel good inside and almost cried...ALMOST.  I've been in the cooking mood lately but after watching Julie/Julia, I am even more inspired to push my culinary abilities even further! 

One of my bosom friends is having a dinner party tomorrow and I can't wait to go!  I really do believe that food brings people together.  I LOVE dinner parties and that is one of the things I am looking forward to this fall.  There's nothing better than walking in from the cold and crisp night air to the warmth of dear friends, the delicious scent of a home cooked meal and the tinkling of glasses in celebration of just...LIFE.  If only the world leaders would get together and have dinner parties like the humble ones we have...maybe they too can see that war is pointless...food fights are better! : )

Before I end the post for today, I'd like to say something to J.  In the movie last night, Julia's husband toasted her at one of the dinner parties they would hold and said, "You are the butter to my bread and the breath to my life. "  J- that is how I feel about you.  Bread is good by itself but it's so much richer and fulfilling with butter.  You fulfill my life that much more and I love you for it.  A lot of the times I don't think of how great our relationship is or how it really is perfect in its own way because it would seem narcissistic when there are so many people out there struggling to reach even half of what we've got but I really can't feel guilty about it.  No, I should feel LUCKY and I do, every night that I get to fall asleep next to you watching pointless television and every morning I get to wake up next to you, rain or shine.  I'm glad neither of us ever gave up when things got rough, instead we took a leap of faith and pushed pride aside and didn't let the fear of failure ruin what our hearts already know. You make life worth going through and it is so much easier knowing that no matter what, there is always someone on my side.  I hope we can be an inspiration to others.  We are two very different people, from different worlds with different views...but, cliche as it may be...the heart wants what it wants and trust me...its NOT easy, nothing in life is easy and if people tell you otherwise...they LIE...but when something is worth it, you don't care and just fight for it 'cause at the end of the day, we're the two people laughing together...and yes, it is bliss : )

XoXo,

Anna

Feels like another rambling entry.  It's been craaaaazy HOT lately here in Seattle.  First, crazy winter and now this boiling summer!!  What is going on?!  Probably global warming.  *Sigh.  I've been trying to lower my carbon footprint by unplugging electronics and such when I'm not using them.  What have you been doing?  It's been pretty chill the past few days.  Sitting inside enjoying the air conditioning.  I am very grateful we have some here at home.  I've been thinking a little bit lately of friendships and how it changes as we grow.  I guess I've always been fortunate as to have a lot of friends or people that seem to be my friends around me while growing up, so in that aspect, I guess I was never alone. I'm sure a lot of people around me think I am never lonely and always having fun but its not always true.  Sometimes it IS lonely.  Mostly because I have lots of friends and such...but not CLOSE friends.  Bosom friends.  The kind that you can count on to be there for you through thick and thin.  The kind that doesn't envy you but rejoices with you whenever life showers you with gifts.  The kind of friend that is always honest with you, not afraid to argue or tell you when you're wrong because they care about you THAT much that they've become family and you can't help but to make up like family members do.  I would love to have more friends like what I've described but the older I get, I realize they are very hard to come by.  And I have come to accept that.  I came across something today that I thought was very true.  Hayden Panettiere did an interview in Seventeen magazine and when asked about friends and school she said something along the lines of how you can be friends with everyone but not everyone has to be your BEST friend.  I find that so real.  I am lucky in my life because I have lots of friends.  I find myself EXTREMELY lucky because I have a few best friends.  I think its a lot easier to have less friends as I grow up because its not about the quantity of relationships but the quality.  So I think this year I will try to refine those quality relationships in my life and make them the best I can.  Its funny how priorities change when you grow up.  I thought I'd be sad about this change and maybe I am a little bit, yet I see the bigger picture and am looking forward to the future.  Yes.  I think I have a good life now but I believe my future is going to be even better : )

Didn't blog yesterday.  Guess I didn't really have anything to say...not that I have anything that valuable to say today.  I feel its going to be a rambling sort of day.  The sun is not out today, makes me sleepy.  Listening to some Norah Jones at the current moment, so relaxing.  Let's see...recently went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.  I thought it was pretty good although I've read the book and feel that it was different.  Still, it was entertaining.  I was upset they didn't show the New Moon trailer.  Was really looking forward to it.  Last night I went on a picnic with John at Meydenbauer Beach park.  It was perfect.  The sun was shining, water blue, grass green, yummy food and lots of entertainment just people watching.  After the picnic we went home and finished watching Doubt.  I don't know how I feel about that movie.  Leaves you a little bit perplexed I suppose.  I guess this is all the rambling I'm going to do for now.  Til next time.

xoxo,

Anna 

Life Lessons

I've come across a lot of life lists and sometimes they're good, sometimes not so much but this one really hit home for me.  I think it teaches lots of valuable lessons and each one helps make life a little more bearable.  I remember watching a New Year's resolution type episode on Oprah about 5 or so years ago and one of the things they said was learn to forgive and just forgive everyone.  I really took it to heart because a lot of times in my life I've lost friends and time with loved ones because of not being able to forgive.  It was not the easiest thing to do but I tried my best and today I believe it was an invaluable lesson that I learned and adapted into my lifestyle. Something as simple as forgiving someone or something just takes a whole lot of stress off of life.  You don't necessarily have to LIKE the person or thing and know that it won't always be the same, things are never the exact same, but know, that there's always a chance that it will be better.  Some people that I've forgiven won't ever forgive me, but I can honestly say that my life is soooo much better now because the ones that forgave me back make it worth the while, even if its only 1 out of 10.  I know that I tried and I know that I've just been able to conquer another roadblock life set out for me.  I hope you enjoy the list and maybe you won't live by all the lessons, but trust me, even one can make a difference!  Also, if you like this sort of stuff, the Prophet is a really good book to read.  It is a part of my collection of books and I like to take it out every once in awhile, reminds me there is a purpose to living and helps me enjoy life. : )

xoxo,

Anna

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

by Regina Brett

Sunday May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

rbrett@plaind.com, 216-999-6328

here's a link to the original article as well http://www.cleveland.com/brett/blog/index.ssf/2006/05/regina_bretts_45_life_lessons.html