A few weeks ago Rocco and I flew out to Los Angeles. It was a quick trip, but a really nice break from winter! We were there to shoot with Solly Baby Wrap for their spring line release. I’ll be sure to share some of the images when they come out. In the meantime, these dreamy yellow couches deserved their own post. I booked this Airbnb loft last minute for the convenience of the location and the affordable price. It is located in the fashion district where there aren’t many hotels since it’s a residence and business heavy district, but its a hop, skip, and a jump away from some really good coffee joints and restaurants (which I will be sharing tomorrow!).
The two hosts Marcella and Brittany are the ones who rent out a few loft space rooms, and they were so gracious. Very helpful for any questions you have. Rocco and I stayed in the upstairs balcony loft which I wish I would have remembered to get a picture of! It was so charming and super comfortable. Rocco just slept with me in the double bed. You can tell he was totally digging the space too. Since a few other people can book the other two rooms, I would say it’s best to rent if you are traveling with gal pals or just going to L.A. on your own.
Had to share the recommendation for any of you heading there this year! You can head to Airbnb to browse more photos of this space. If you want to stay near the coast, Venice, Manhattan Beach, and Santa Monica are all cool experiences you can find listings nearby.
This Valentine’s Day I wanted to dive deeper than the usual box of chocolates, so I asked some of my favorite couples, who have been married from a range of less than a year to 30+ years a few questions about marriage. Read these when you have a chance to soak them in…some really good words I will be trying to bring to fruition in my own life!
What is one way you work on keeping your marriage strong?
“Marriage is about choosing love whether or not you feel it. Feelings are temperamental, but the decision to choose love every day is ours. Own it. Choose your love and love your choice.” – Bridget Hunt
“One way I focus on keeping my marriage strong is by lending unconditional service. Doing something sweet without expecting anything in return! It helps me forget about myself, and Brad always has the best reactions to these little acts of service. It is so fun, and always strengthens our love for each other.” – Hailey Devine
“When life is especially crazy & things are quite a bit different than they were when we first started dating, we try to make sure to do two things to make our marriage a priority. We spend time together doing things we loved doing before we have kids, even if staying up late playing cards & having a drink is going to make us a little more tired in the morning, we will always be happier. And we go out of our way to do little things that make each other smile, like making sure his favorite shirt is dry cleaned or picking up my favorite snack on his way home from work. A little extra effort goes a long way!” – Jessica Garvin
“By exercising the principle of goodwill, we try to continually give each other the benefit of the doubt. We look at all decisions through the lens of ‘we only want what is best for God and each other, our marriage and our family.’ When we make mistakes, we gently encourage one another to see each other’s position and work to not repeat the offense.” – Marybel Carlisle
Simon says, “put your spouse before yourself, always.” and I say, “laugh! a lot!” – Simon and Grace Patton
What are ways you focus on respect and gratitude in marriage?
“We like to leave spontaneous notes for each other in the car, mirror, or lunch, encouraging and reminding each other how we are thankful. Also, Refraining from preconceived judgements or being quick to forgive is something so difficult, but this could be what hardens the heart or puts a wall up. Giving the benefit of the doubt promotes a more loving marriage.” – Tricia Simpson
“We do not criticize each other in our thoughts. We understand the power of thoughts and how thoughts determine our verbal and non verbal actions. Sarcasm is never allowed in our relationship and we keep that firm boundary! As a woman I have to be mindful of cultivating and protecting a positive safe for our friendship, and I work on the habit of positive thoughts of my husband. This habit naturally creates a gratitude space that makes our relationship fun, satisfying, and so full of life. Married life gets better with each day, and we are truly more in love now than we were on the day we got married!” – January Donovan
“It has taken me a while to learn that the way I say things and my tone of voice can greatly affect the way my words are perceived. It’s a way I try (often fail!), to show him greater respect and love because I know it is important for our marriage. We remind each other often that to really love a person is to will the good of the other.” – Maria Niewald
“‘Thank you for choosing me.’ We often spontaneously use this line, communicating how grateful we feel to be given such a genuine love. We’ve quickly learned that it is a choice that comes with each new sunrise in marriage, and it’s the deep confidence found in the other’s daily commitment that has moved mountains internally in our first year as newlyweds. ‘Thank you for choosing me…’ They are words we’ll whisper in each other’s ear well into old age, I’m certain of it.” – Angela Hoyer
“I choose to look for the way my husband shows his love for me or our children. At some point in the day I thank him for those specific acts of love either by talking to him, writing a note, or sending an email. I think it is important to frequently remind him he is a good husband or father.” – Jessica Zuniga
Quite a few gems! What about you friends? Happy Valentines Day Weekend!
I crave donuts just about every day, anyone else? Considering it probably wouldn’t be wise to give into that regularly, I found a good coconut flour cake donut recipe that doesn’t have to be categorized under guilty pleasure. Super simple to make, and maybe not as sweet as your standard cake donuts, but you can always slap on some icing if you need them sweeter. A healthy Valentine’s Day breakfast option along with some raspberry milk (no dye)!
Cake Donuts:
I used Tasty Kitchen’s Recipe
Slight adaption: Added a little more flour, and substituted some of the honey for raw maple.
Make sure you have a donut pan.
Raspberry Milk:
4 c. Milk
Small quart of Raspberries
2 Tbls. Raw maple syrup
Found the milk bottles and straws in the dollar section at Target:)
I like Valentine’s Day more my little ones than anything else….ok and maybe the flowers. My mother always made it special for us, so I am trying to keep up with her rad traditions. You all should also check out these adorable DIY candy heart boxes, fries before guys printable, and the cutest gold foil heart shirt. What can I say? I am a sucker for it all.
I’ve got a really cool post on relationships coming up this week, so stay tuned!
“Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.” –John Harrigan
You all know I love a good quote;) I am really into keeping things simple this year now that I have four chickadees under my roof. Flowers are my favorite thing to give (and receive!), so this is a simple way to gift your best gal-entines for friends or teachers. Wrap a few tulips, tie with string, and attach a good quote to it. It will guarantee at least a smile from someone deserving of one. Max thought these were for him as you can see. I had to coax them out of his hands to ensure they would be delivered to the right person. He’s a pretty cute florist though I must say…
“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own home. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor . . . Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”
-Mother Teresa (Life motto:))
On the occasion that a date around February 14th does offer an opportunity to get out to a fancy schmancy place, this will be the dress. Especially if you happen upon a very french looking cafe….might as well dress the part!
This week I’ve got a Valentine’s Day line up for you starting with a Valentine’s Day date night in idea that might be good to have in your back pocket in case dinner plans fail;) In our first few years of marriage, babysitters were hard to come by, so most of our Valentine’s Day dates looked a lot like this. After picking up ingredients to make dinner for two, we would wait till the kids were asleep and cook our favorite apps, dinner, and dessert. We’d follow that up with a stack of movies we would never last through, popcorn, movie candy, and all of the blankets we owned. Still my favorite way to spend the 14th if you ask me;)
As you might guess, we have become popcorn snobs over the years. Here’s a few of our favorite toppings you can test out for your own popcorn buffet next movie night…
Base: Popcorn oil (magic stuff)
Seasonings:
Cheesy – Parmesan, dill, and salt
Sweet – Cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg
Savory – Lawry’s Seasoned salt, chili powder, and cayenne pepper Wooden bowl Wooden snack bowls Serving Tray
And while we are on the topic, here are some of my all time favorite romantic comedies:
Return to Me
You’ve Got Mail
Sleepless in Seattle
About Time
The Importance of Being Earnest
Emma
Any Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day flick
Wearing….
This adventure tee with a favorite pair of stretch denim and cawfee mug in hand. My friend started Novaelle this year to help different women’s causes (currently it’s the Nepali rescue project!), and lemme tell ya, it will quickly become the most comfortable tee I own. Living AND maybe sleeping in it. I’ll pretend we are doing something adventurous this weekend and something more exciting than taxes.
Tasting….
Gabe has always liked to make up sandwich recipes, and I willingly volunteer as tastebud tribute. This one was so good, that I not only swallowed it whole, but decided it was smart to always have the ingredients needed in stock….just in case:
French bread grilled in kerrygold butter (the good stuff)
Two slices of grilled canadian bacon
1 Fried Egg
Sharp white american cheese
Tzatziki sauce
Dill
Watching….
We were in sore need of some new shows to binge watch, since we were all caught up on our usual favorites. Thanks to all your suggestions, here’s a few we’re intrigued by:
Madam Secretary
Peaky Blinders
Agent Carter
To be perfectly honest it was a helluva week, and I am probably a little too excited January is ending. (By the looks of Monday’s post comments, I take it I’m not the only one!) So I plan on ordering take out tonight and diving head first into the weekend. See you Monday with the start of Valentine’s Day fun (I do love a good excuse to holiday).
