* 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...