ringing in the new year

New Years was so much fun! While it's nice to go out, staying in sounded perfect this year. Lizzie  was in town so we decided to cook amazing food all night! We had a yummy cheese course, bruschetta with pesto, brie, caramelized onions and smoked salmon {sounds intense but it was amazing!}, goat cheese and sun dried tomato ravioli, salad with blue cheese and candied pecans, and banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon frosting for dessert! Cooking and eating all night= the best way to ring in the new year!

We also sang and danced to all our favorite musicals {Matthew watched and laughed..and maybe recorded the whole thing..}, played referee with Ginger and Lizzie's dog Talula, and watched about 5 minutes of Love Actually. I love hanging out with my two favorite people and my two favorite dogs!

xox

 

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top ten from '10

This has been one amazing and incredible year! I'm a little sad 2010 is ending but I am ridiculously excited for 2011. There are so many great things ahead..like getting married!

Here are my top ten highlights from 2010 in order by month:

Last December 31/January 1st Matthew and I rang in the new year together for the first time! 

{the year before I was sick in bed}

We also went to New York City which was so fun! We ate so much great food and explored the city.

In February my grandma came into town to see me and my mom, and the three of us had a fun couple days in Santa Barbara.

In March Matthew and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary over yummy Thai food.

And Hanna and I had a little girls weekend at Elizabeth's in San Diego!

In April Matthew and I went down to San Diego, had an adventure, and spent time with his sweet family.

Matthew also won me a stuffed animal at a carnival!

In May we adopted our little Ginger Bear! Look at how tiny she was..sigh I miss those days!

In June I celebrated my birthday over cupcakes with my boyfriend!

In July Matthew and I had the incredible opportunity to shoot with Jose Villa. Love these photos!

In August I went to Las Vegas to celebrate my best friend Lizzie's birthday! I love our girl time.

In September Matthew got down on one knee and I cried my eyes out! {and said yes of course!}

In October my mom and I flew to Pittsburgh to celebrate my Grandma's 86th birthday. 

Matthew and I also had a fun little Halloween party with our Gigi Bee!

In December we got into our best 60s attire and went to a Mad Men themed holiday party!

Oh, 2010, thank you for being so good to me! I think I included more than 10 things but it was hard to narrow them down. I can't wait for what lies ahead in 2011!!

Tonight we are ringing in the new year with some close friends. 

It's going to be pretty laid back, but perfect!  

Happy New Years Eve everyone!! 

Thank you all for being such a wonderful part of my year!

xox

 

You can see my highlights from 2009 here!

twentyten//off to a good start

Well my prayers were answered... I was NOT SICK on New Year's Eve! I woke up feeling great, saw AVATAR with my family {which I highly recommend} and then drove down with Matthew to beautiful San Diego. We had a romantic little Italian dinner and then met up with his brother for the countdown. I had my first New Year's kiss and it was pretty special! Honestly I think New Year's Eve is hyped up way too much and it can end up being a major let down. But if you're with friends/family/loved ones it's totally worth it!

And now we're in 2010! I have such a good feeling about this year. Hopefully it includes getting a puppy, a full-time job, learning how to play my guitar {finally!}, finishing up that surf lesson I started in Hawaii and many more fun things!

I hope everyone's new year is off to a fabulous start!

bye oh nine

It's kind of crazy that the year is almost over! It was long but lots of fun things happened. Here are  
9 highlights from '09!

1) In January I got bangs..first time since I was a little girl.

{my roommate Mallory}

2) My best friend Elizabeth visited me in February and we had a fun weekend in Berkeley and SF.

3) Matthew and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary and went to Hawaii in March! It was my first time going and we had such a great time! Although neither of us got tan!

4) I graduated from college in May! While I'm happy to be moving onto the next chapter in my life it still feels a bit strange to be done with it all.

5) In June I celebrated my 22nd birthday. Matthew took me to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

6) I started this blog in August as a way to make the long distance relationship more bearable.
7) A couple months later in October Matthew moved down here! And right down the street!

8) In November some of my short articles were published in the magazine I work for!
9) Tomorrow night Matthew and I will be closing the New Year together! And having our first New Year's kiss! Last year I was sick in bed! {Actually the past two years I was sick..keeping my fingers crossed I'll be fine tomorrow!}

Have a safe and happy New Years!