*tis the Season

For dark chocolates and peppermint candies...

I was motivated, after reading JOAT's recommendation for the Peppermint Crunch Junior Mints, to share a few of my personal favorite holiday treats. I love any treat that includes peppermint bark.

In my mind, Williams-Sonoma peppermint bark is probably the most famous and I'd take a lucky guess to assume that it's one of their most popular sold holiday candies of the season. Excellent stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

William Sonoma Peppermint Bark

My mother-in-law keeps a candy dish in the kitchen so whenever we stop by, we usually come home with a few treats. The other night Steve came home with a few of these - DEEEE-LICIOUS!

Dove Peppermint Bark Dark Chocolate Promises

Pretzels are one of my very favorite snack foods, especially when they're flavored, so last week, I found this tasty morsel at Whole Foods and figured it was a must have - zero regrets...other than not buying more than one bag. As with most peppermint flavored treats, they're a limited edition product so be sure to stock up.

Snack Factory - White Chocolate and Peppermint Pretzel crackers

Ghiradelli chocolates are some of the most famous chocolates around - of course they would have a peppermint chocolate and of course it would be wonderful Something I did not know is that they also make an eggnog chocolate { Lynds - me.you.must.try } and pecan pie chocolate, which is included in the assortment of holiday chocolates, available at Amazon.com

Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares Limited Edition Holiday Assortment

And...for those of you in Seattle, there are the famous Frango Candy Cane Chocolates available at Macys...however, I checked their website today and they are not currently available - hopefully they've got them in the stores, as they're a treat not to miss.

* Hope your stockings include a few peppermint bark chocolates *

* Happy Thanksgiving *

I feel blessed with all that I am thankful for in my life this year. Here are just a few of those things...

♦ My wonderful husband { 9 months today }

♦ My loving family - old and new

♦ My A-M-A-Z-I-N-G friends that have always inspired me ☺

♦ My adorable kitten, Boots-with-the-Fur, and his unconditional love for us.

♦ My cute little home

♦ My job - as busy and stressed out as I've been lately, I truly enjoy the people I work with and the job I do

♦ My cameras and lens' for allowing me to fulfil my passion of photography to a whole new level this year

Cheers to a day of celebrating all that you're thankful for with your family and friends. I'm off to watch the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade (a tradition from as far back as I can remember), brunch at my in-laws and then on to my parents house for dinner. Happy Thanksgiving!

Morning Routine { Products }

I ususally like to leave product reviews up to my dear friend Lyndsy over at YBB (as she does such a fabulous job), but figured I'd take a few mintues to let you know about a few of my { current } must haves.

I'm in love with the new Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Cleansers - I've tried the shine control version with lemongrass and fruit extracts as well as the vitamin C with ginseng. My favorite thing about these cleansers is that while you wash your face, the "bursting beads burst with energy and vitamins, while the invigorating fragrance enlives your senses" (product description - I couldn't have said it better). I was in awe the first time I used this product as my eyes instantly felt more awake and my face refreshsed. For those of you that have a tough time fully waking up in the morning, this is an excellent product for you.

I base a lot of my product decisions on scent and feel. The Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash, with burnt brown sugar and karite butter, was originally purchased based solely on the smell. I am mildly obsessed with the smell of this body wash, and after the first use, I love how it doesn't leave my body feeling like there was soapy residue left behind after rinsing. The exfoliating beeds aren't too harsh and leave my skin feeling soft and smelling great.

I have been using Bath & Body Works body cream just about every single day for the past ten years. If I had to choose one lotion to use for the rest of my life, this would be it. I have always had my favorite scents, but have now officially found my very favorite - Twilight Woods. I can't help but think that the branding manager slightly based the name choice off of the popular book series, but that had zero play in my purchasing of the body cream this past weekend. The scent is apparently supposed to make you feel like you're taking a "romantic walk in enchanged woods," hmmmmmm - didn't quite get that feeling, but I've only been wearing it for two days now. The notes that I immediatley smell when wearing this are coconut, musk, vanilla and freesia. Go take advantage of Bath & Body Works "Buy 3 Get 2 Free" and pick up a couple of bottles - it will definitely be worth your money. I would also recommend the Sensual Amber, Black Raspberry Vanilla and Japanese Cherry Blossom.

{ Go Cougs }

No matter what the Cougar football record is at the end of the season, I still am and will always be a loyal fan. Since we aren't racking up the points, getting much coverage on TV or really even playing well these days, the main thing that I look forward to on Saturday mornings is seeing one, two or three Cougar flags waving in the background behind Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler and Lee Corso. Just like the first time I saw it, I still get goosebumps. It's just one more thing that makes me proud to be a Coug. I'm loving this tradition and I'm loving that ESPN made a commercial in honor of this tradition. Go Cougs!

I Caved...

...and finally bought a pair of Hunter Wellies...green...to be exact

via

Considering the Seattle weather conditions { Lots-O-Rain } for much of Fall and Winter, I decided this was a purchase that must be made. I was a bit apprehensive at first, because I have short legs, but I think they'll work out just fine AND they'll keep my jeans from soaking halfway up my leg...which in my mind is pure misery that can last hours - we've all been there.

I just might even find a puddle this weekend { shouldn't be too difficult } just to test how well they truly work.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope it's fabulous

In Case You've Missed Me...

Or maybe you're like me and was just tired of seeing my same post on Washington DC { is this vain of me? }.

I've decided to provide a bit of an update on what I've been up...

Work has been extremely busy. Do you ever feel that you take a vacation and then you end up paying for it with the over-abundance of work you have to catch-up on when you return? That's me...still catching up from when I missed three days of work for DC. *definitely do.not.regret taking this vacation

Busy, busy, busy with photoshoots. Sometimes, I'll get so wrapped up in the actual day of shoots that I completely forget the hours of editing that come along with it { definitely no complaints here }. I enjoy every single part of photography - camera, editing, meeting new people, etc, etc, etc...BUT the weather report for Seattle has the potential for putting a damper on my shoots this weekend...no rain please...at least not until Monday. Thankfully, I have a husband that supports this little hobby of mine...100%...perk: he made fabulous dinners, three nights in a row, this week so I could get just a few more hours in of editing.

Tonight, I'm off to my 4th Annual Seattle Children's Hospital - Symphony Guild event at Beneroya Hall - awesome show put on by Seattle native and music extraordinaire, Matt Messina.

Also, found time to celebrate this guys 1st birthday - I'm kinda in love with Jake's huge cheeks and blue eyes. Stay turned for more photos from the Burrell's family session.

Have I mentioned before how much I heart Etsy? If not, I truly do love this site and made my first purchase today in months. I think the last thing I actually bought from the site was Steve's wedding band. Today, at the suggestion of Aimee, I bought these { oh-so-perfect } Christmas cards - my first Christmas purchase of the year.

I'm sad to be missing a girls trip to Lake Chelan this weekend to celebrate Diggy's 30th { Happy Birthday Digs - please enjoy some sippers for me! }, but I'm looking forward to what the weekend has in store...as long as the weather can cooperate...

DC { Recap }

The five days we spent in DC, Virginia and Maryland were so much fun. Despite the dreary, dark, rainy weather, we still had such a great time. Wednesday and Thursday night were spent with the Fitch's in Great Falls, VA - Friday and Saturday were spent with the Reynold's at their new home in Arlington. Here is a list of the sites we accomplished - we had so much more on our "to do" list, but with the crummy weather weren't able to do everything we had hoped (i.e. wine tasting in Virginia - planned by Stacie and Carrie).

☂ Downtown Baltimore

☂ Annapolis, Maryland - home of the US Naval Academy

☂ Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

☂ Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

☂ Smithsonian Museum of American History

☂ National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (definitely the highlight of Steve's trip - all plane photos below taken here)

☂ International Spy Museum

☂ Happy Hour at the Australian Embassy

☂ Birthday-Eve drinks at the Reynolds local Pub - Bungalow Billiards & Brew

☂ Birthday dinner at Filomena's in Georgetown


Capitol Building


Abe Lincoln


Photo taken at the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background


Lincoln Memorial and the reflecting pool


Washington Monument


The next piece of jewelry I'd like to add to my collection


The same plane that Steve's grandfather flew in WWII


Blackbird jet - Interesting Fact: In 1990 this jet flew from LA to DC in 1 hour and 4 minutes! I could get used to that sort of cross-country travel


The B-29 Enola Gay - dropped the Atomic Bomb


Mrs. R, Mrs. R and Mrs. M


Appetizers and beers at Gordon Biersch after the Spy Museum - probably should have reapplied lip gloss as I'm looking a tad pale


An attempt at a fun shoot to show off Carrie's Hunter boots...in the parking garage. Definitely fun and a great laugh, but her jeans were SOAKED after the 30 photos that were taken in this sequence


Just the perfect drink to get the birthday night celebrations going


Birthday dinner at Filomena's Ristorante in Georgetown - hands down best Italian food I've ever had!


Mr & Mrs R at Filomenas


Kev and Stacie


Cousins - Steve will forever be the tallest in ALL family photos


Baby Cousin Paul during breakfast. Also, the first photo taken with my new lens!! Thank you to my wonderful husband for buying my dream lens the Nikon 85mm for my birthday!

A Huge Thank You to Matt, Lisa, Carrie, Erik, Stacie, Kevin, Ben and McCarthy for celebrating with me and another huge thank you to all of you that called, texted and sent me birthday wishes - I feel very loved and thankful for all of you! Thank you for helping to make my 30th Birthday more perfect than I ever could have imagined.

Celebrating My 30th { Patriotic Style }

Tonight, Steve and I are headed back east for a five day visit to our nationals capitol and I can hardly wait!

{ via }
I haven't been to DC in about 12 years, but now with friends and family living there - we really have no excuse to not visit.

Cousin Matt, Cousin Lisa and baby Paul

Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds - loving their German attire at Oktoberfest

The reactions I've received when I've told people that we're going to DC to celebrate my 30th birthday have been quite funny - they seem to think it's an odd place to for a birthday - not to me - I'd rather check out the museums, monuments, take photos, etc than party in Vegas...apparently I'm a tad different. Plus the East Coast in the fall is one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Added Bonus -- Stacie and Kevin are flying in, on Friday, from Boston to spend the weekend with us!

Can.Not.Wait to celebrate the start of a new decade { ack...that sounds old } of life. I've been wondering this past week - where has the time gone? How am I eleven years out of my teens? I'm now closer to 40 than 20. To be honest, I'm embracing 30 and looking forward to a fabulous year!

: Blyth Family : Sneak Peek : Bend, OR :

No complaints here, but I have A LOT of catch-up to do with my last few photoshoots (fingers crossed, this will be happening this weekend), but I just had to share a couple of photos from one of the shoots I did with Grout, Galen, Ava and Miles this past weekend. Honestly, I know I've told a couple of you this, but I felt like I was in the middle of a banana republic shoot with a couple of Gap kids running around. I realize I'm a bit biased, but the four of them make a pretty darn cute family. Check back for more photos from this shoot and others over at head over heels...soon!

:: Takin' off for Bend, OR ::

Tonight I'm flying down to Bend to hang out with these two -

And to celebrate this adorable little girls 3rd birthday! I can.not.believe that Miss Ava is turning 3 years old - honestly where has the time gone? I remember, like yesterday, the day that Galen called to tell me that Ava had been born. Steve and I were out on Lake Washington with Jamie having a relaxing dinner, I cried a bit and Jamie and I toasted Ava's arrival with a bottle of champagne.

Happy Birthday Ava - can't wait to kiss your cute little face and eat cake with you - love you!

Stacie's 30th Birthday Party :: Kirkland, WA

Thursday night, Kevin and Stacie few out to Seattle from Boston to celebrate Stacie's 30th Birthday. Friday I was lucky enough to enjoy lunch at the beach with Stacie and Michelle and then hang out again at her surprise party. Kevin truly pulled off the perfect surprise party. He completely shocked Stacie by having her friends all meet up at Hectors at 7:30pm on Friday while they were having drinks at Cactus. He even arranged for a private room, appetizers AND he created a slideshow of Stacie's life. As seen in the {blog appropriate} photos below, the night was a huge success!

Happy 30th Birthday Stace! I hope your journey back west was worth every second of it! Love you!

:: Cougar Football Saturday ::

Saturday morning we packed up our things and headed down to the Cougar tailgate at Qwest. Definitely not a memorable game for any Coug fan, but still a lot of fun to hang out with friends. Unfortunately, until the Cougs improve their game, I think we'll have to look at the Cougar viewing parties as a time to get together with good friends and socialize. The almost 90 degree temps definitely helped all of us enjoy the day just a bit more. Steve and I also attended the Hawks game on Sunday, which was much more enjoyable - thankfully we them as our winning team this season.

Coug girls at the tailgate

Lauren and Shawn

Baby Jacob the Lil' Cougar

Rauh and Spry

The Giess'

Steve and me

Jeremy and Marge aka the cheer coach

Wade and his adorable baby girl, Amelia

Jake and Amelia - debating on whether or not to go on a second date

The Burrell's

Lynne and Fitz

I think the Cougs lost our attention at 35 - 0