February 29th

I woke up in an amazing mood.
Maybe it's because last night, I kept telling myself, "You don't have to work tomorrow! It's like Friday night!" (I still feel like a kid playing hookie when I have a day off mid-week). It's also likely that my good mood can be attributed to sleeping with the 9 foot loft door open, allowing fresh spring air to mix up dust in my apartment. My nose was a little bit stuffy, but it felt like Spring, so it made me happy. The neti pot will take care of that...

This lamp helps the mood anytime it's turned on as well. The colors! The colors!!

Succulents. Ahhhh. Yes please.

Light entering my place.

Slippers still on. Comfy.

Snugglin' Ted.

Let the sunshine...let the sunshine in, the suuuun shine in.............(Hair, anybody???)

MAYBE it's because I've been asked to model for a styled shoot today?! At 5'4" and the high school title of "Most Spirited," rather than "Most Beautiful," I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised, and flattered simultaneously to be invited to participate! I usually TAKE the photos, I'm not usually the subject.

The theme is Ragtime Americana, and I'll have my hair and make-up done in about an hour and a half. There's a team of professionals; videographer, photographer, wedding coordinator, vintage rentals, florist, stationary team, the list goes on....my creative juices will be exploding just being surrounded by passionate, creative people.

I had mixed feelings on how to get ready...since they're doing my hair, I figure it ought to not be freshly cleaned, because then it's soft and limp and won't do anything! So bath only this morning, just to be fresh for the pros!!!! :)

The shoot will last until about 1pm, and then I get a day-date with my man. He was hired about a week and a half ago by a small-business in the entertainment industry, and I couldn't be more thrilled for him! Financial stability AND in an area he is passionate. We are so lucky! For right now, he is part-time, and can make his schedule fit around our busy wedding planning schedule!!! After the shoot we are going to the Fort Worth Court House and getting our MARRIAGE LICENSE (OMG OMG OMG)! Hopefully we will have some time to work on my taxes and/or our honeymoon projection, and then we have a dance lesson at 5:30! Full day!

I haven't seen George in a few days; can't wait to have some time with him!

The mornings continue to be my favorite part of the day. Knowing I have an entire day of exciting things ahead, and feeling the crisp morning air (but not too crisp; my sliding door is still wide open) while sipping my coffee...smelling my Volcano candle burning, and talking to my dogs like they're people...I'm just overflowing with gratitude and had to come to this space to share!

Mac/blog (reflection), coffee (necessity), and Volcano (pleasure)

OH, AND IT'S FEBRUARY 29TH. THAT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS SO I'M GOING TO REALLY ENJOY THIS DAY!

Money Can't Buy You Happiness...but Anthropologie gifts sure can!

I kid, I kid.
Sort of.


I've been showered with gifts lately for our upcoming wedding on March 24th (less than a month away!!!).


My last update was at the end of December, and a lot has kept me busy since then!


I'm very grateful for my mom at this time. She has done so much, it is insane. My heart goes out to the brides who do this on their own, whether it's by choice or that choice was made for them...because if it weren't for my mom, I would be absolutely lost.


I'm also very grateful for our coordinator, Lottie, with Couture Events by Lottie. She is so great at nailing down details and keeping me informed with the latest and greatest.


I had an amazing bridal shower on February 18th, thanks to the help of my mom, sister, Jessica, Jen, Ashley, and Erin! 

Walking up to the shower, at Jessica and Monica's beautiful new house in Highland Village!

My mom, me, and sister, holding our practice-run bouquets! Thanks to Raquel for not only attending the shower as a personal friend, but also for her gift with these flowers! I'm obsessed!

It was the most creative, classy, and joyful party I've personally attended, and I didn't want it to end! It was at this shower that I was bombarded with fantastic presents, and they haven't stopped rolling in through the mail. I'm so grateful...

After the shower, I took 3 trips up the stairs, in the rain, unloading my car.  I stopped after 3 trips to take a breather and began nesting, instead. 

Imagine this setting, plus a little bowl that has scalloped pie-crust edging as well. Now imagine 8 of them. Thank you so much, Mimi and GrandDad! Love these "Lotus" dishes from Anthropologie!!!

Toaster oven, blender, butter dish, and monogrammed mugs. I have had the "L" for years; so nice now to see the "G" beside mine! I'm NESTING!!!!

A cocktail book I've been lusting after for years, but couldn't convince myself to purchase. THANKS, BUD!

Anthropologie whisk (teal and yellow, how cute?!), bowl, spice jars (I just need to get chalk to write the spice names on the black part!), and a sweet toaster oven!!!

...I'm so grateful, but also perplexed...it's funny that in the happiest time of my life, I have the most support and love. When we were broken up and I was at a low point, yes, my mom was there (thanks mommy!)...but all of these gifts would've perked me up then, for sure! Haha! It's hard to even put into words how HAPPY I am right now. I want to be this happy forever, despite my left brain already going into protection mode and reminding me of hard times ahead.


I'm so grateful everyday that George is ready to be married (I've felt ready for a couple of years). I'm so grateful he has been hired by an amazing small business in the entertainment industry, and we have more financial stability, while he still has opportunity to pursue his dreams. I'm so happy our parents are supportive of this marriage, and I'm so happy to be spending time on our relationship! We started premarital counseling last week and will go for 3 more sessions. The extra help with communicating has already proved to be very beneficial. Thanks to George's mom, we also are taking dance lessons, and that is a very fun date to look forward to every couple weeks. So one can imagine that with all of this joy, to receive physical GIFTS just puts me over the top. I'm trying to soak this up and already am kicking myself for having a 4 month engagement...no wonder people draw this out! This time is pure bliss!!!!

Unconditional love from this man? Commitment after 7 years? A whole life ahead of us with no idea what's in store? Yup. I am definitely happier than I've ever been, and ever could have imagined.

Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A Van Meter Family Tradition, Every Four Years, at Christmas.

Every four years, my grandparents generously take the family out to their timeshare, and we enjoy time with eachother, delicious food, and the beautiful outdoors.


This was my first year as a working woman to attend our traditional "Christmas in Santa Fe." That meant I had to fly out a day later, and met up with my family as soon as I could get off work. I flew out of DFW, and had a surprisingly pleasant time in the airport by myself.

DFW Airport...Beautiful Mosaic Floor

2 hours to kill. Pizza and (several glasses of) wine down the hatch! 

Some EXCELLENT reading material for the relaxing trip.

Boarding the plane to Santa Fe!

We stay at the Campanilla Compound, thanks to my grandparents!!! They have a timeshare and always provide ample accommodations for us when we arrive.

And once we arrived...pure heaven.

Snowbunnies <3

The food....DELISH.

The Van Meter Family in Santa Fe!

Our Unit of 4!

Laura, Me, Mommy 

Bud messing around, looking adorable.

La Fonda, a beautiful hotel in Santa Fe, where we eat brunch every trip.

Gingerbread House at La Fonda

Gotta love how GREEN the people are in Santa Fe!

Beautiful Christmas Decor

Native American textiles. Love the culture here.

My sweet parents. They honeymooned in Santa Fe. 

Cracking up at the "Eyes of the Night" shirt...complete with the Hawk, Bobcat, Owl, Coyote, and Snake.

My boots. The latter two of which I acquired in Santa Fe this year.

Supporting the local artists.

Eating and drinking well.

Laura (my sister) with our cousins, Andy and Allie.

Mimi and GrandDad, my grandparents, who make this awesome trip happen every 4 years.

Absolutely diggin my new kicks.

Ten Thousand Waves. Probably the best part!!!!

Hittin' up a Japanese spa in the mountains. 

Using "ski money" as "spa money" has never felt so right.

The co-ed hot tub.

The bidet. (bi-DAY). bi-YAY. So fresh, so clean. LOVED MY BIDET EXPERIENCE!!!

A little collage of all the greatness Ten Thousand Waves entails.

Sissies lovin' life.

Being silly in the sauna. Laughing about my Spandex, I'm sure.

Back to our Temporary Home.
Not too shabby.

Every Christmas Eve, we eat at the Pink Adobe. 

We always love our Christmas Eve dinner at "The Pink"!

Beautiful firepit at the Pink

Laura and me at the Pink Adobe

Mommy and Laura at the Pink

Okay. The entire town is always lit up via luminaries on Christmas Eve. It truly transforms into a magical Christmas Heaven on Earth.

And then we roadtripped it back home. 12 hours. In the snow and ice...

But there were some pretty photo ops!

Once we got back...George and I exchanged gifts. I got him the shirt he's wearing below while I was in Santa Fe, along with a handmade brass guitar pick with a heart engraved on it. I thought of him instantly when I saw it. He got me these PERFECT wall hangings (they will look so beautiful in my loft on that picture frame wall!), jewelry, and a promise to replace the needle on our record player. I hope he follows through on that last one (no pressure or anything....), because I've been wanting it for a while now and have no idea where to get a replacement.

 The next morning I went to my parents' home and we did our "Christmas morning" complete with Christmas Eve pajamas...on the 26th. 

I loved my gifts! This camera bag (below) is PERFECT!!!! 

Right up my alley! And I always love Volcano (an Anthropologie candle)...

but my favorite gift was the new iPhone. Despite the huge homework assignment! Usually Apple is so good about making transitions smooth and easy. I've upgraded from a "3" to a "3GS" before and had no problems. This time, I've had to talk to both Apple and AT&T, along with restoring multiple times...kind of a drag. Hopefully it will be up and running by tonight. Despite the hassle, I'm VERY excited to capture photos on this phone while I'm on-the-go with the (much improved) camera phone!

I gave my parents a Keurig coffee maker. I know they would never buy this for themselves since they are practical people and have a functioning coffee maker. But I also knew they'd enjoy the convenience this one-cup-at-a-time machine has to offer! I LOVE being able to buy "real" presents now that I'm a "grown up"!

Had to throw in a pic of my favorite Van Meter nutcracker...the adorable dreaded-out hippy! Ha!

Mmm...."Christmas" Lasagna...Thank you, Mommy!

After Christmas with my family, I went to the Tinker household! They spoiled me this year. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude! Everything from jewelry to sleepwear to slippers to face masks to hair conditioner to a butterfly keyring...but my favorite gift was this "Sexy Little Bride" tanktop. 

So cute!

William and his girlfriend, Cassidy. Love these two so much!

Joe enjoying the shirt I gave him for Christmas. The wolf explanation will be another blogpost, for another time.

 I had a wonderful, blessed holiday. I hope you all did as well. Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!