Leap Year

Happy Leap Year Day..

I thought about giving into British isle tradition

and proposing to Stephen.

But then i realized that proposing for the sake of a good blog post is not a good enough reason..

just like cute baby clothes is not a good enough reason to have a baby..

or at least that's what some people might say.

But i mean,

can you come up with a BETTER reason?

I think not.

I don't know about you,

but i had never heard of this leap year proposal business until Amy Adams made that semi tragic movie..

aside from the hot accents,

it was pretty horrible.

Here is what our friend wikipedia says about leap year:

"In the British Isles, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years. While it has been claimed that the tradition was initiated by Saint Patrick or Brigid of Kildare in 5th century Ireland, this is dubious, as the tradition has not been attested before the 19th century.^[8]Supposedly, a 1288 law by Queen Margaret of Scotland (then age five and living in Norway), required that fines be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow.^[9] In some places the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap year day, February 29, or to the medieval (bissextile) leap year day, February 24."

SO basically Stephen would have to buy me a gift if he refused me..

 i guess now i have two reasons to propose today...

And in case you are wondering if women actually hold up to this tradition here..

I am happy to inform you that YES they do..

I have been listening to BBC radio and they have already mentioned at least half a dozen women proposing to their men today.

What do you think about leap year proposals?

My future sons wardrobe (no, I'm not pregnant)

On Sunday I posted about my nonexistent daughters clothes from Zara,
because of my friend Ahnika and her breastfeeding over skype,

and felt bad leaving out my non existent son.

his favorite color is blue, like his daddy.

what??

phone

Blazer, Blouse, Purse: Zara (yikes i have a problem..) Earrings: c/o Poshlocket

room service..the only way to eat.

guess whose is whose...

chlorine heaven

my legs have a mind of their own

view from the room

sunday roast

Clearly this weekend was a bit uneventful,

since half of these photos are from over a week ago..

Just randoms from the phone,

now commonly known as the magic wand..

or maybe that is in reference to something else.

nevermind.

My future daughters wardrobe (no im not pregnant)

My friend Ahnika recently gave birth to my god daughter,

Svea.

(pronounced: Svay-uh)

Ok..she is not actually my god daughter..

like we havnt drafted up the paper work yet or anything..

But ive been searching for the perfect after birth gift

(when we all found out the gender)

I had been searching for weeks..

and coming up with nothing..

Clearly i dont have children..

Then the other night through our weekly breastfeeding skype date,
(where she breastfeeds and i watch)

Ahnika told me about Zara Kids..

then posted a blog about her top picks.

and I was like YES.

Because lets be honest,

75% of my wardrobe is from Zara..

so naturally im going to want Svea to be dressed like me..

duh.

Then I was looking through the site..

and boom.

baby fever.

darn you cute childrens clothes.

So the moment you all have been waiting for..

my future daughters wardrobe.

via

I may or may not already have that white blazer in my size...

Take me to the movies

I have a confession to make..

before yesterday I had never seen the movies Sophie's Choice

OR

Braveheart.

*hangs head in shame*

Since the episode in Modern Family,

where Cam talks about his obsession with Meryl Streep,

and cries at the end about Sophie's Choice..

I have had a desire to watch it.

But never did.

Then have continued to hear different tv shows and movies talk about it in different contexts.

And I was like, thats it.

It's time.

Naturally I forced Stephen to watch it with me..

saying it was our american duty..(obviously)

About half way through,

which apparantely is like 2 hours in because this movie is LONG,

Stephen was all,

when the heck does she make a choice??

Then the choice came (another hour later),

and i cried,

and when it was all over i turned to stephen, teary eyed and somber, and he was all

"you know, I probably would have been okay with not seeing that film"

men.

Then he had me watch Braveheart..

because it was my British Duty.

And im totally embarrassed that I had no idea what it was about before watching..

and I have been living in Scotland for 6 months.

Now i know why I occasionally see scottish men dressed up with blue paint on their faces.

and scene.

FRIDAY

I'm thinking about posting through the weekends..

GASP.

like on Saturdays and Sundays..

just little thoughts and finds..

weekend posting..

what are your thoughts?

While your pondering your answer..

Check out these lovely ladies.

You wont regret it.

**********

Is it just me,

or do you kinda love finding match.com couples?

I don't know why,

maybe because its our generations "meet me at the diner for a rootbeer float" way of courtship,

and i find it so intriguing and amazing..

Which is exactly what these two are.

 

Hey, you guys. Lo here. My husband and I started blogging to document our epic wedding plans--the good, the bad, and the funny. Jesse and I got married on my family's farm in August of 2011, and we spent the whole year prior bringing our big fat farm wedding to fruition. We now find ourselves in the beginning days of (mostly) wedded bliss. And I still find myself bit by the blogging bug. Our wedding blog has now evolved into something else, but what that is, we're not entirely sure. That's OK, right? Either way, you should totally come join our journey on this crazy train as we regale tales of Our Crazy Ever After.

BLOG

*******

Ana became an expat for her man..
sounds familiar..
Except she is in the gorgeous Northern California area..
(unfair).
Go US citizens..make her feel welcome..
(and then do the same for when Stephen and I move back..thanks)

Photography: Stephanie Court Photography

Hey guys,

I'm Ana and I blog over at My (Newly)Wed Life.

The husband and I met when he was on vacation in Brazil and I decided to move to California 3 days after being together. We got married a year ago and have been documenting our journey since then. 

I blog about the trips the we take, the new recipes that we try, ideas to decorate the house on a budget

and about the ups and downs of this grown-up life of ours!

I hope you stop by to say hello! :)

xoxo, Ana

BLOG

************

I relate to Kym on so many levels..

she is a former expat (once living in Germany)

who has recently moved back to the USA..

I think her transition is going to look similar to mine..

trying to find your footing,

learning to adjust to a knew and different kind of happiness.

I love her.

Hi all! My name is Kym and I blog over at xo, Kym. I am 26 years old, the mother of an 80 pound 3 year old (His name is Brutus. He's a bulldog), and I am marrying my best friend this July. I was born and raised in a small town in Massachusetts, but I am currently living in the DFW area of Texas. Over the course of the past 3 years I have moved back and forth between Massachusetts, New York, West Virginia, Germany and Texas for my fiance's career as a minor pro hockey player. 

BLOG   

Conversations

typical..

Me: i still cant get over the way you say urinal
Stephen: uranal?
Me: urinal
Stephen: uranal
me: urinal
Stephen: uranal
me: Ur-ANAL is not normal.
Stephen: no, its uranal
me: uranal
Stephen: no ur-EYE-NAL
me: that is not what it sounds like your saying
Stephen: look (link)
me: just because that's how it's pronounced here does not mean it's correct.

:::i made Stephen basically what we in the states would could an egg mcmuffin..using what we call biscuits and they call scones, eggs, cheese, and bacon (american style streaky bacon):::

me: here is your American breakfast
Stephen: (picks up knife and fork)
me: noo.. you have to eat it like an American at least to start..with your hands
Stephen: really?
me: just try it..all the cool kids are doing it.
Stephen: ok..
Stephen: mmm that's good pet. what do you call this?
Me: an egg mcmuffin
Stephen: i would enjoy it so much more if i could use my knife and fork..
me: ok babe...
Stephen: (goes to kitchen to get maple syrup and proceeds to poor maple syrup on the mcmuffin)
Me: now you are an American.

Stephen: we need a calender or something to keep organized
me: can you get dry erase boards?
Stephen: whats a dry rice board?





see other conversations here, here, here , here and here

Cameron House Loch Lomond

And on the 7th day, God looked at what he created and was all

"I am the shiz"

pretty sure that verse is in reference to Loch Lomond.

But I might be reading into it.

top: zara  pants: H&M Bracelet: c/o Poshlocket  Watch: ASOS

"oh is that rain?"

We had an amazing time at Cameron house..

it's worth the splurge for a night or two if ever visiting Loch Lomond in Scotland..

we wined, dined, and were totally spoiled by this amazing hotel..
Fully equipped with spa, pools, multiple 5 star restaurants that overlook the loch, car service to take you around the hotel, and the best staff.
I had planned Stephen's birthday weeks before, and worked with them to make sure that everything was reserved, and set up with special touches, like a bottle of champagne in the room.

The heated bathroom floors made me shed a slight tear..

until I laid on the large tempurpedic bed..

then it was game over.

And central air and heat?

I can't...

I just can't...

Poshlocket giveaway!

Bracelet:Earrings c/o poshlocket

Many of you may already know about Poshlocket..

Their jewels are seen adorning many a bloggers..

like here on the gorgeous Jenni.

I am OBFREAKINGSESSED with them..

because what the others say is a fact,

the jewelry is QUALITY.

and it came to me in a pink pouch that smelled like bubblegum.

I can honestly say i wear the Jana twisted knot stud earrings and chloe bracelet almost every day.

I also think earrings are making a comeback for spring..

one of my newest favorite fashion bloggers Christine from Fash N Chips has been recently posting about earrings..

so with that being said..

Poshlocket is very generously offering one of you

ALL THREE of these earrings

ISABELLE SUN-SHAPED DROP EARINGS

JANA TWISTED KNOT STUDS

Shawna Hammered Coin Earrings

TO ENTER:

(must do at least ONE of the following..extra entry for every other one you do)

separate comments for each.

1. Like Poshlocket on facebook

2. follow them on twitter

3. follow poshlocket on pinterest

***CLOSED***

WINNER:

 

Plans

You know that saying “God laughs when you make plans?”
or is it “you make plans and God laughs?”
i dunno,
basically god is always laughing at us.
(in a haha you're so silly, but i love you so much way..of course..)

I had all of these plans for last week..
Stephen had holiday time,
we were going to frolic in the woods together,
eat chocolate covered strawberries whilst floating on a cloud
while we sipped champagne from diamond flutes saying “i love your perfect little face butterbean, lets take a picture for the blog”.
You know,
the usual.

But unfortunately that did not happen..
mainly because there arnt any woods near by..

but also because life sometimes throws unexpected curvballs.
And you have to roll with the punches.
or get punched in the face.
That's what I always say.



Even though the week wasn't exactly what we had planned.
Our weekend plans have gone unscathed..
and we are celebrating Stephens Birthday at Cameron House..
aka the most magical place on earth.

I get to go swimming in a pool.
A SWIMMING POOL.

A brief peek.

earrings c/o Poshlocket, top: Zara

view from our room

We get back on Tuesday. 

Details of this little gem on the Loch to come.

Happy Birthday Stephen

You are 25 today.
Today I am reminded that I am older than you.
A cougar.
and I like it.

On this day last year I was at a maroon 5 concert in London..
And you were having drinks with the rest of our course-mates in Nottingham.
You were bummed I wasn't there.
(obviously..I am a lot of fun)
But I didn't know.
Because we didn't know each other very well.
Other than we were going to be sharing the same Masters title..
We certainly didn't know we would eventually be sharing a life together.

And this life...
well this life is pretty great.

Happy Birthday my hot irish arm candy.
I love you.

For your weekend

I'm posting on a Saturday?

I blame it on the sun being out and The Vow being released in theaters.

And what can I say?

I am a proud big sister.

Shane has officially given me the go ahead to find him a girlfriend via my blog..

which i think is a better business venture than the time in high school

where he was going to charge his friends $50 to take me on a date.

It seemed like a full proof plan

until we realised we were basically one step away from putting me on a street corner in a mini skirt and clear plastic stilettos.

*they wrote this sing


*post script: the sun is gone and its now raining/hailing/snowing sideways. 

The Sexy Month/3

Chanel is my real life friend,

turned blog friend...

which means if you want to be friends with me..

you kinda have to be friends with her..

i dont make the rules.

*********

Valentine's Day has never been a holiday that I loved. For so long I despised the holiday. Truly despised it, for two reasons. First because my first two serious relationships (3 years in high school and 3 years in college) ended just before the holiday. One of them on the drive home from our early Valentine's Day date. Lovely right. Second because the holiday has always seemed forced to me. A Hallmark holiday where we are told how we should celebrate and what things we are obligated to do and buy. Yuck right? I love all things festive and celebratory though. To me there is nothing like loving on those you love and feeling the love from those you know love you. 

For a long time Valentine's Day was best celebrated with the girls I loved most. The best Valentine's Day was spent cuddled up in my best friend's apartment with my sister. The three of us ate dinner together, made and ate chocolate covered strawberries together, exchanged valentines (the adorable handmade doily valentine from my sister I still have years later), and watched none other than The Notebook (simply the best love movie ever!). It goes down as the most memorable because it was the least pretentious, least obligatory and so full of love! 

Then came the days of dating my future husband. He felt the same way about the holiday that I did. However, when February of 2008 rolled around I didn't want my love for him to go unexpressed so I decided that I would make him a little love gift. I had my mom help me take a photo of myself blowing him a kiss and printed it repeated on the same page. I put it in a cheap frame from Ikea and wrote, "If a picture says a thousand words I hope this one says I love you over and over!" on the back. Crazy cheap but I was set. Two months later he proposed and one of the things that he told me was that when I gave him this simple gift he knew how much our love meant to both of us. 

I now have my forever valentine and every year all we need is each other. Cheesy...maybe. True...absolutely!


BLOG

The Sexy Month/2

You've seen Amanda a couple of times on here..

her and her hubby are just too hot not to have on your blog at least once a month..

at least in my opinion...

and this love letter her husband gave her?

are you effing kidding me?

(thats as close as ill get to saying the F word on this blog btw).

Doesn't get much sexier then that..

(the letter..not the F word..)

************

I cried when I read his full love letter. I really have the best. If we ever have sons, I want to raise them to be just like their Dad.

The good ones do exist and are totally worth waiting for!

Amanda's BLOG

The Sexy Month/ 1

Because February is the sexy month
I thought i'd keep this love fest going by having a few of my ladies tell you about their valentines.
(you were hoping i would say sex lives weren't you?)
Because talking about Valentines day on their blogs isn't enough...
clearly.

First up.
Nicole.
My twin sister.
But not really because I don't have any sisters.

***********





Megan's my valentine.

Just thought I'd be the first to claim her.

She wasn't always though ::shock::

Once upon a time, about seven years ago, Adam, my now husband was my then new relationship.

Our first Valentine's Day arrived after a couple months of 'dating'.

I use the term 'dating' loosely in these years.  Considering we didn't go on a bona fide 'date' until about two years later.  And contrary to Adam's many arguments, convincing me to skip class for taco night at the dining hall was not considered an official 'date'.

 [what can I say, we were hotter in college]

So I was intrigued as to what could possibly happen on this giant corporate day of love.

Okay, I wasn't really intrigued.

While my roommate was getting dolled up for her big night out, I was wondering was on the menu at the dining hall that night.

Adam went all out that night though.

As much as he could considering we were poor college students.

Who spent their first Valentine's Day together holding hands at Wendy's.

Making eyes across their french fries.

And sharing a frosty for dessert.

And you know what?  It was kind of perfect.

Also he gave me a mixed CD.

Sorry ladies, he's mine.

****
Nicole's BLOG

For You, With Love.

{via}

Thank you for the outpouring of love yesterday. 

Your kind words, concerns, and sweet e mails have helped so tremendously.

Acts of kindness like that,

is what Valentines day is all about.

So thank you for making mine special.

Winner of the Holga Camera is...

Congrats Taylor! I will be e mailing you.



and


HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Absence

image via

I have been dealing with some personal stuff over on this side of the pond..

I am unable to discuss any of it in detail via blog..

Which i know is totally unlike me..

since im always able to be very open and honest on here..

and vague and cryptic posts really irritate me..

But fret not,

Stephen and I are both fine :)

Private e mail is the best option at this point.

Ill be having some of my fav girls hold down the fort this week in my absence.

Normal (hopefully) posting will resume next week.

ps. last day to enter Holga Camera Giveaway. Winner announced tomorrow for a V-day gift!

Buttered Popcorn

I recently have developed an obsession for caesar salads and buttered popcorn..
an obession that is slowly turning into an addiction.
To the point where two kernals of popcorn fell on the kitchen floor and i yelled
“no! none can be spared!”
and proceeded to pick them up and eat them.

Fun fact:
Stephen had NEVER had buttered popcorn until he met me.
NEVER.HAD.BUTTERED.POPCORN.
he is so lucky to have found me.


And I am lucky to have found these ladies

****************

If you are looking for another hot mommy blogger..
with a gorgeous baby that makes your uterus ache..
then look no further..
because Jenni is totally your lady.
Her family is stunning,
she is sweet, honest, and real.

"hello across the pond readers!!!!!  my name is jenni and i blog over
at my domestic education!  basically my blog follows me as i try to
navigate my way through life...as a wife, new-ish mama, first-time
house flipper, photography lover, world traveler, and food addict
{read: NOT a chef...i'm working on it}.  my blog is mostly light
hearted and fun, but sometimes serious too.  i would love to have you
join me!  come on over and i hope you'll stay a while! xoxo"


BLOG


**********************


Then After your done reading Jennis blog,
and your yearning to be domestic,
do yourself a huge favor and go to Michelles blog.
OH MY FOOD HEAVEN.
it is the glory realm.

"Hello!  I'm Michelle, and I post recipes and food-related thoughts at Michelle's tiny kitchen.  I work as a full-time paralegal and part-time high school tutor (AP Bio and Chem, what up science nerds!), so I make mainly fast and easy dishes.  When I'm not working, I'm snuggling on the couch with my husband Jeff and our miniature poodle Charlie.  I recently, and kind of unexpectedly, became vegan after 25 years of being a consummate meat-eater, so right now I'm working through that transition, coming to terms with my previous disdain for vegans, and making delicious meals to satisfy my meat-loving, picky-eater of a husband.  I am so excited to get to know fellow Megan-philes, so please stop by and introduce yourself!" 


BLOG


*******************
Natasha is inspirational.
And she has a real talent for the written word.
You will want to be her friend.

"I'm Natasha and I'm the webmistress behind Small and Charming, a cozy little blog about my life on an (almost) daily basis. When I'm not blogging, I'm getting myself into some serious mischief with my three pets or writing, going to school or working on an article for my school's newspaper with my headphones permanently attached to my head. When I'm not doing any of those things, I'm choreographing dance routines that nobody will see, drooling over Chris Evans or naming my inanimate objects". 

BLOG

***********************

Lastly,

Christin.

If you dont know her yet, 

you are missing out on some serious hysertics.

Full on dry sarcastic humor..

sounds familiar....

"My life is pretty normal other than the fact that I live in NYC and I'm awesome. I can't promise outfit posts. What I can promise is that you'll be entertained and maybe even laugh out loud for reals.

 Oh and you have something on your face. No, right over there. To the left. Ah, you got it. Good, wouldn't want you walking around looking like a douchelord. "

BLOG

*****

Roll on valentines day!

Happy Weekend!

Dreaming of May

images via 

Our flights are officially booked to California!

Departing MAY 3RD

We will also have a short 5 day stint in Florida to see my grandmother

(because that is where all of the old Jewish people go to live..you laugh..but it's true).

I am clearly overjoyed. 

This is going to be Stephens first time EVER in the US..

and if im being honest,

what better way to introduce the USA then California and Florida?

I have to be real though,

and it may be the winter talking,

but I am starting to get a big pull to move back home..
(I know, i totally just said in another post not for awhile..you shouldnt ask me questions in the winter where im only working with half a brain)

 i'm sorta scared this trip in May is going to make me want to never leave.

This is the first time I've felt this way, in a serious way, since I've lived here.

I went home in June of last year for a month.

And by the end of my month stay i was crawling out of my skin,

itching to go back to the UK.

I obviously wasnt meant to move home yet like i had originally planned in October of last year

(I had a flight booked and everything)

The UK has provided me with a safe place to get back on my feet,

to recover from loss,

heal,

and move forward.

It gave me a second chance at life and love.

But now im wondering if my time here is coming to an end..

sooner then i had originally anticipated.

(not like tomorrow, dont start planning my welcome home party yet)

But i think i am getting more ready to come home.

Becoming brave enough to handle the transition back to the US.

Ill probably decide next week i want to stay in the UK again.

This is clearly an expat problem.

California and Florida better put their best face forward (I am talking to all of you who live there)

because we need stephen to LOVE the USA.

I mean, that shouldn't be too hard..

southern california Megan.

Balboa Island, Orange County Parade, 2009.

Rainbow sandals?

Check

Jbrand jeans from Nordstrom?

Check

white t?

Check

Navy sweater tied over shoulders?

Check

Golden retriever?

Check.

American Flag bandana?

Check.

Older men in polos and Khakis?

double check.