Not everyone is a talented social dancer. By the age of twelve I had done extensive amounts of ballet, tap and jazz dancing, but I still don't consider myself an excellent social dancer. Thankfully, people are pretty forgiving of those of us who don't perform an...

Hi Everyone! I usually do a Get To Know Me Better post on Wednesdays, but today I'll be sharing something a little different. For the next 30+ hours, my husband and I will be cooking up a storm as we get ready for our Thanksgiving feast! Since I won't be around to...

Around the time my mother turned 50, I started hearing from friends and acquaintances that she looked especially youthful and young. And it's true; you probably would not be able to guess her age just by looking at her. It's uncanny how little she's aged. But lately,...

The strange thing about taking couple shots is that a "candid" is hardly ever a pure candid. If you've posed for engagement or wedding photographs, then you know what I mean-- as much as we try to forget the cameras are there, we can't. But there's something so...

I was craving pesto the other day. But if you've ever looked into making your own pesto, you also know that pine-nuts are just about the most expensive nuts on the market. So I had to find an alternative. Recently, I've been looking for ways to eat more...

Gratitude has been a buzzword lately. Because Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I am seeing more and more "grateful hearts" and "gratitude lists" than before. And I love it. I love hearing about what people are grateful for-- big and small. It brings a smile to...

Towards the end of our wedding, I toasted our guests. I wanted them to know how truly special they were. I wanted to thank our dear friends and family for not only celebrating us, but for making us for who we were. You see, the wedding industry will sometimes insist...

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I want to share something with you that is very special to me. If you're looking to do something a little different this holiday season, then I hope you'll join me in packing a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child. OCC receives and...

Every Thanksgiving, my hospitable heart flutters with excitement as nearly all of its dreams come true. The reason why I adore Thanksgiving so much is that it brings together three things I love: hospitality, gratitude, and good food. Ever since I helped cook a...

There is so much artistry that goes into a wedding. I had never imagined that getting married would mean connecting with some of the most creative minds in San Francisco. From floral arrangements to tableware to lighting to food, there are so many details that pull an...

One of my college friends was a committed vegetarian. She told me once, "You can be a good vegetarian or a bad vegetarian. A good vegetarian actually eats vegetables. A bad one eats grilled cheese and cereal." So true, I thought. I'm no vegetarian, much less a vegan....

Last week, I started a new series where I'll be sharing a few details about myself! I've realized that while our blogs focus on our passions, we sometimes leave out the little things that make us who we are. Through this series, I'll share a bit more about me and I...

This past year, Earl Grey became one of my favorite black teas. The sweetness of bergamot is both calming and energizing at the same time. And though this tea is ubiquitous, it somehow escapes cliche-- at least in my book! So of course I'm looking for creative ways to...

I just got back from the first baby shower I've ever attended. The woman of honor was my new friend Lindsay, who is about to have her second daughter! While some of us who attended had never had children, there were a few experienced moms there who gladly shared some...

I am so excited that tomorrow it will be November (oh, and Happy Halloween). By the mere fact that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, it's highly possible that November is my favorite month. I'm expecting lower temperatures here in SoCal, and look forward to...

One of the best things about blogging is being able to make real connections and experience a vibrant online community. But how do we do that? Is it possible to make real connections AND grow our blog? You have probably heard that success in business is based on the...

Happy Wednesday, friends! I'm kicking off this new midweek series where I'm going to share a bit more about myself. I've realized that while I do write a lot of personal posts, there is not always a ton of detail about me. So on Wednesdays, I'll be sharing a few facts...

I'm usually all about slow food, slow cooking, and making from scratch. (Go figure-- I was the slowest eater among my family members growing up!) But sometimes it's nice to be able to throw something together for yourself or a friend without ending up with flour...

There's a lot of entering and exiting in a wedding. I remember being inundated with emotion each time: leaving my bridesmaids for our first-look photo shoot; entering the room where my groom was waiting; then entering the ceremony on the arm of my father to standing...

Happy Friday, friends! Here's my promised tutorial for delicious homemade pasta. There's something so delightful about the bouncy, supple texture of fresh pasta-- it's flavorful, robust, and unforgettable. I might even say that once you've tasted this stuff, you'll...

I used to think philanthropy was a rich man's world. Industrial tycoons and their petty female arm candy who attended fancy galas and bought things at auctions-- that was my picture of philanthropy. And ultimately, I thought the point was to receive a tax break,...

Are you a DIY-er? I'm learning about it, but crafting is a huge challenge for me. This week I collected some more projects that seem pretty manageable. If you have any suggestions, let me know! Have a lovely Sunday, friends! Make this gorgeous gold marbled pencil...

I'm not much of a hard liquor drinker, but I have a weakness for boozy desserts! This pumpkin pie has whiskey in both the filling and the cream on top. So it's basically a recipe for warm, cuddly, happy autumn feelings! Boozy Pumpkin Pie Pie Ingredients: 1 premade pie...

As Autumn enters full-swing, the idea of savoring some hot tea with a good book (or blog!) becomes more and more appealing. I love drinking tea whether I'm working, writing, or relaxing. It's an amazing beverage! But did you know that different teas ought to be...

Friends, this is going to be a great month. Some of my sweet blog friends have shared their October goals and dreams, so I thought I would share mine! This time last year... I was in Cambridge, MA finishing up my senior year of college. I celebrated the birthdays of...

Last week, a friend shared with me the most courageous website I have ever seen. I Am Not Anonymous is a blog filled with stories written by men and women recovering from addiction. There's pain, despair, grit, and victory-- all out there with their names and faces...