Happiness

I had such a nice birthday weekend. I went out with coworkers Thursday evening and girlfriends Friday night. But the best was spending Saturday and Sunday with my husband and the pup. We slept in, went out for a bit and then happily flopped back into bed at night. Since life has been so busy lately, this simple, sweet, low-key weekend was the absolutely perfect way to celebrate.

This photo brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. It captures that quiet moment between a couple when everything is right and nothing more is needed.

Photo from here. 

Birthday Weekend

It's really snuck up on me this year, but tomorrow is my birthday! Last year was a milestone -- the big 3-0, with a big bash to mark it -- so this year I haven't made many celebration plans. I'll do some fun things this weekend -- I'm just not sure exactly what yet! Birthdays are a natural time to reflect, and I feel so blessed. I love my husband, dog, family and friends. I have a good job and a comfy home. I'm happy and healthy. And I'm excited for what this next year might bring.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Photo from here. 

Nesting

As much as I love to travel and explore new places, it truly is wonderful to be home. I don't have any trips planned for a bit, so I'm looking forward to nestling back into my home. Especially as the weather cools, it will be nice to sink into the couch with my husband, our pup and a blanket and do nothing more than watch a movie.

This north London house, featured on House to Home, seems like a great place to get cozy. I like the Arts and Crafts elements with all those textures and, of course, some pops of bright pink.

Photos from here. 

Big Easy Days

I'm back from New Orleans, and what a fantastic trip it was! My friend and I are exhausted but we keep talking and laughing about all the fun things we did and all the amusing things that happened. We ate at so many different restaurants and walked all over the city. We shopped, rode a streetcar, took in incredible architecture, hit the town at night and spent a lovely afternoon lazing by our hotel's rooftop pool. Here are a few glimpses of our four days in the Big Easy.

Photos by me. 

NOLA

Today, I head to New Orleans for a work trip with my officemate. I've never visited the city before and I'm looking forward to exploring. Happily, the priority for both our assignments is checking out the city's dining scene, so in addition to eating and drinking our way through the next three days, I'm sure we'll take in architecture, jazz, art and shopping along the way, too.

Have a great rest of the week and a wonderful weekend!

Photo from here. 

So Right On

When it comes to style, I don't think it gets better than a good stripe, a cinched skirt or anything pure white. Throw in a blunt bang and pretty makeup, and I'm sure you can see why I'm swooning over these looks on Esther Adams, a Vogue fashion writer. Gorgeous, no?

Photos from here. 

Own It

Last night, three of my girlfriends and I got together. We sat outside to enjoy a warm evening, share a bottle of wine and chat. We laughed so hard remembering events from our past and updating each other on recent goings on. But one of my favorite parts of the night was when we talked about how we're liking our age. Now that we're all thirty, we understand ourselves better than ever before. Not that we have everything figured out -- not at all! -- but by and large we know what we like and who we are, and we're more accepting of the qualities and quirks unique to each of us. We're owning them.

This New York townhouse, featured on House to Home, seems to have that confidence. It's eclectic and interesting, and I get the feeling that the furniture, art and accessories all hold special meaning to the person who chose them. When you go with what feels right to you, things kind of work out, don't they?

Photos from here.