2013: The Year of the Circle of Life.

Some of my favorite moments of 2013:

Getting to gaze at this one constantly. Daniel looking so cute posing with Jesse's sitar. 

 Meeting my nephew Dylan.

I will always treasure my time spent with Daniel's grampy, he passed away this year. 

But will always inspire me to love life, and to really live it.

Shenanigans with the ladies. 

 Seeing Daniel for the first time on our wedding day.

 Celebrating at our wedding, BEST DAY EVER!

 Being on the beach with some of the best people I know, celebrating Daniel's bday.

 Adventures on Crete. I will never forget the majestic, wild beauty of it.

 In character for The Murder Mystery party.

 I always love taking walks in the woods.

 Seeing the Acropolis definitely reminds you how fleeting your life really is.

 Taking refreshing dips in the Mediterranean Sea.

 The view from our balcony on Santorini is forever emblazoned in my memory.

 Did I mention swimming in the Mediterranean Sea? 

 Getting tattoos of each other's Hewbrew initials on Valentine's Day. 

I will always have Daniel with me.

 Snow in the woods in Cape Cod. Truly magical.

 I recorded some music in the studio this year. Such an amazing experience.

 Nothing brings me peace like long walks on the cape with my love.

 Spending time my niece Lily. She is so lively, creative, spirited and lovely. It's incredible watching her grow.

 Meeting my nephew Charlie, who came into the world with the snow.

Spending time in NYC with family is pretty magical.

2013 you were beautiful, wonderful, heartbreaking, inspiring, challenging, life-changing, rewarding, extraordinary, miraculous and spellbinding. I truly experienced the circle of life, with birth, death and getting married. You have impressed onto me the need to cherish every moment of this gorgeous, fleeting life. You have given me so many moments that I know I will look back on when I lie on my death bed one day, remembering the amazing things in life I got to experience. You have been so fulfilling. Thank you for your lessons, your charm, your love, your tests.

2013 you have made me stronger, more appreciative, more loving, more adventurous...you have shown me lifetime in a mere year. 

I will treasure you always.

I am ready for you 2014.

Our Wedding Day Looks.

In honor of 2013 coming to an end I thought it was time to finally share some photos from our wedding. Our wedding day was the best day of my life. Hands down. It was magical, romantic, beautiful and just beyond anything I ever imagined. We planned the entire thing ourselves and picked out everything, including our killer ensembles. Daniel wore Paul Smith from head to toe, with the exception of his amazing vintage cufflinks. My dress was from the Nicole Miller 2013 Spring collection. It was originally a strapless gown but I added some cap sleeves to as well as some mesh around the bust. My headpiece is by Claire Pettibone, and I had two pairs of shoes, a red suede Christian Louboutin pair(not pictured) and some comfy Jeffrey Campbell rose gold platforms for the reception. 

All photos by Shelby Duncan at We Are Yes Love.

Winter Spice Cookies.

I wanted to make some festive holiday-ish cookies, but I wanted ginger and Daniel wanted molasses so I decided we could have both. And thus the the Winter Spice Cookie was born!

And they are yummy!  They pair great with coffee, tea, cider or whiskey! Just to name a few...

 INGREDIENTS:

• 3 CUPS All-Purpose Flour
• 1 TEASPOON Baking Soda
• 2 TEASPOONS Ground Ginger
• 1 & 1/4 TEASPOON Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 TEASPOON Ground Cloves
• 1/4 TEASPOON Ground Nutmeg
• 1/4 TEASPOON Salt
• 3/4 CUP Butter - room temperature 
• 3/4 CUP Brown Sugar
• 1/3 CUP Molasses
• 1 Egg
• 2 TEASPOONS Vanilla Extract
• 1/3 CUP Sugar (for rolling)

STEP 1:

In a large bowl mix the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt.

Set aside for later.

STEP 2:

In a separate bowl/mixer (I used my Kitchen Aid) cream the butter for about a minute.

Add the brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

Add molasses, egg and vanilla extract.

Mix well.

Be sure to scrape down the sides if needed.

STEP 3:

Slowly mix in the dry ingredients, little by little.

Do not over mix.

STEP 4:

Cover dough with foil and refrigerate for 2 hours.

STEP 5:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

STEP 6:

Roll dough into 1 inch balls.

STEP 7:

Roll balls in sugar until they are nicely coated.

STEP 8:

Place balls 2 inches apart on baking sheet.

STEP 9:

Bake for 8-10 minutes

DO NOT OVER-BAKE!!!

They will be puffy and soft.

STEP 10:

Let them cool for 1-2 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 11:

Enjoy!

Polka Dots & Moonbeams.

 Oh man, I am so over this flu. I'm still feeling a bit under the weather. Ugh. At least I am feeling better than I was...Being sick all of last week, left me with having to run out for a couple last minute gifts today. It was nice to get out of the house. I was a little naughty last week when I broke down and ordered myself the hat off my Holiday Wishlist. I blame it on being cooped up and bored. It did pair nicely with my polka dot capey top. It was in the seventies today and this top is so comfortable and breezy, which are important factors when I'm still not feeling 100%. I'ver never really been a huge polka dot lover but they work really well on this top, must be the cape. The mostly black look helps tone down the girliness of the polka dots. Well, I am off to wrap some presents. 

// Top - Asos // Hat - Anthropologie // Jeans - Genetic Denim // Boots - Steve Madden // 

// Purse - Vintage //