4 things...Holly Jolly

Happy Sunday.  I hope everyone enjoyed the little bit of winter weather we got this week.  The rain on Friday was so refreshing.  Everything is always so beautiful after the rain, it feels like all of nature is rejoicing.  It is also the perfect weather to stay in and work to.  The light pitter patter of rain on the ground outside is the perfect relaxing cadence to offset a long work week.  I hope we get a bit more winter weather this holiday season, it always feels more like Christmas when its cold outside.Singing : Christmas carols.  Mike got me tickets to the Holly Jolly Holiday Trolley as an early Christmas present.  We went last Sunday and it was rad.  You get to ride around Gaslamp, Balboa Park, Embarcadero, and Old Town to see all of the festive lights while singing a long to Christmas Carols led by the conductor.

Hosting : Tonight Jen Nesovic, Vlad, Mike and I are hosting our 3rd annual gift exchange.  I can't wait for tonight.  Our gift exchange has become one of my favorite traditions during the holiday season.  Every year it brings us together in the midst of our own holiday chaos, for a night that is nothing short of wonderful.

Relaxing : Gretchen Seitz acupuncturist is amazing.  I am always overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude after seeing her.  This is the perfect time of the year to reset and let go, and I would highly recommend her to help you do so.

Dreaming : A spring trip.  Mike and I delayed our winter trip to the spring.  There was so much going on we decided to put a pin in it.  Now I have the fun task of daydreaming where to go next.  I'm thinking March or April, maybe Chile and a few days in Cusco Peru! We shall see. Vamos a ver.

xoxo,

Suzanne

4 things...rest

Happy post Thanksgiving Sunday.  I hope everyone had some good food and good times this week. With the Shewanders team being so wrapped up in production these past few weeks the Thanksgiving break was refreshing. We opened our November Newsletter with a quote by William Woodsworth that simply said "rest and be thankful."  It seems like an easy enough concept, but with our lives becoming increasingly busy and work being a click away, it is not as easy as it once was to just rest.  But this week I let William's words become my reality and I found time each day to rest and be thankful for all that this year has brought my way.  During my restful week I had these four things on my mind.Inspired by : Artwork by Rebecca Louise Law.  I find joy in nature and she has created stunning works of art using the beauty of the world around us.  It is also inspiring to see someone take their passion for art and love for nature and combine it in such an innovative way.

Loving : Robin Schwartz's Amelia and the Animals portraits. Robin has been capturing portraits of her daughter Amelia's love for animals since she was 3 years old.  I love how her daughter, now 15, has become a creative partner with her mother, dreaming up new whimsical and sweet portraits to take.

Reading : Maya Angelou quotes.  I came across a Maya Angelou quote this week that made me stop and smile.  The quote read, "You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal.  Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you."  I then found myself spending hours on Pinterest reading through more of her words of wisdom.  Maya Angelou had an incredible view on life, you will not be able to read her quotes without feeling inspired to go out and live your dreams.

Dreaming of : A winter wonderland.  It is almost December, and I am in need of a snowy winter escape.  Mike and I are planning a trip with a group of friends and I cannot wait to make snow angels and drink hot chocolate.  But to hold me over until then, we are planning a winter themed date night at the Hotel Del.  Every holiday season they open Skating by the Sea  ice skating rink, and it is the perfect place to enjoy the San Diego style Christmas.  I won't be able to make snow angels but sand angels, ice skating and hot chocolate will do for now.

Have a wonderful week.

xoxo,

Suzanne

4 things...musicials

Happy Sunday everyone.  It has been a fun filled week for me.  Vegas did not disappoint.  Mike won $40 on the slots and then lost $10.  We are not professional gamblers by any means but we did use that $30 to celebrate with drinks at the Vesper.  While we were there Mike educated me on the origin of musicals.  He told me that it was because of people like me, who were bored of communicating and were not that great at it.  Because in musicals you talk sometimes and then you just sing the rest of the time.  He raised a good point, although I do not think he is 100% right.  Either way we could not stop laughing about it.  I may never look at a musical the same way again.  Thanks to all the fun we had this week we still have not officially unpacked.  However we have mutually agreed that we will attack the boxes on Saturday.Hosting: A luncheon for my pals at my new place.  We like to do a small friends Thanksgiving every year.  It is nice to talk about the year and reminisce on the moments we've shared.  I look forward to it every holiday season, and I am eager to catch up, share some laughs, eat good food and sip on wine.

Planning : A trip to the east coast.  After the fun we had in Vegas we decided another trip was in order.  We are thinking New York, Boston or Pittsburg.  Hopefully the stars align and the entire Vegas crew can make it.  We have to continue our #adventureswithus

Watching : Fall TV.  I know I mentioned it last week but I just have to say it again.  If you do not watch Scandal you really need to.  Without spoiling anything, there was a Helen of Troy montage at the end of this weeks episode that was so well done.  It seems like TV shows are stepping it up and drawing the audience in closer and closer.  I also highly recommend Parenthood.  Julia and Joel's elevator scene was absolutely beautiful.  I am sad that it is the last season.

Listening to: Bright Eyes, "This is the first day of my life".  I can listen to this song over and over again and not get tired of it.  It is hard to believe it has been out since 2005.  It is definitely one of those beautiful tunes that will be playing for generations to come.

xoxo,

Suzanne