a morning at the bakery

So after living in Hawaii for two years I FINALLY got to go to the famous bakery, Ted's.  

I've heard quite a bit of hoopla about this place and yet I've never found the time to go.

So this morning Beau and I had to go and get our new car registered and we thought, "what the heck! Let's go get breakfast at Ted's!" And so we did. 

It was well worth the trip.  

Egg sandwiches and macadamia nut pastries...yummmm. 

DIY jewelry box

I am dying to make this.  I think it's too big to take back to the mainland with me from Hawaii, so for my last year in Hawaii, I'll just drool over the pictures and wait for the day when I'm in a home that I'll actually be in for more than a year and can justify making this.  But, if any of you wonderful friends decide to make it, I would LOVE it if you sent me pictures.  You know, so I can lust after it even more. ;) 

I found the full tutorial for this awesome project at Design Sponge. Go check it out ya'll. :)

Dear husband

Dear husband, since getting back to Hawaii almost two weeks ago, we've had some interesting days. And by interesting, I mean somewhat routine. I'm just waiting for classes to start in the end of July and you're just waiting to start teaching at the high school at the end of July.  So, while we wait, I spend my days working, cleaning and looking up and trying lots of recipes.  I think you've been pretty happy with my cookie-baking lately.  You've been so much more productive than me babe.  You've been so good about studying like crazy for the GRE (we're talking hours and hours a day).  You've also done tons of preparation for the coming school year.  I can't believe you're gonna have your own classroom, I'm so SO excited for you. 

We also bought a new car just last week.  We're in the process of selling our current one (hopefully we'll get a taker soon--we could really use the money about now).  But, in our short window of minimum-funds, we do have one fun thing to look forward to.  We got a pretty good "promotional perk" that came along with our new car.  You and I will be heading to the spa one of these days and each enjoying one-hour massages with aromatherapy and foot bath included.  Mmm mmm, I can not wait.  Neither of us have ever had massages before and I'm so excited that we get to go and get them together.  

When it comes down to it, we got a pretty fabulous life hun.  Thanks for that. 

the perfect ending to the perfect day

On the evening of our anniversary this past Sunday, Beau and I decided to drive up to Sunset beach.  Any guesses as to why it has that name? Yep, you got it right--it has the most beautiful sunsets known to man.  Seriously, after checking out the pictures, you're all gonna wanna jump online and buy some tickets out to good ol' Hawaii and pay me a little visit.  Or so I wish.  I'm actually dying for visitors to come, so if anyone ever really does come out, let me know and I'll hook you up with all the insider tips.  

Have a happy Tuesday kids.  

I love me a good hike with my hubby

This past weekend the hubby and I went on a beautiful hike together.  It's been quite awhile since the two of us have gone hiking and since we both wanted to get out of the house, it seemed like the perfect time.

So we packed up some water bottles, put on our hiking shoes, put on our awesome non-matching headbands (yes, hubby's hair is now long enough to push back with a headband), and trekked on out of the house and up a mountain.  And the sign in the picture below? Yep, gotta love it. It was at the head of a driveway right before we got to the trail head. Someone doesn't want people on their property.  The driveway is lined with signs like these.  Another reads, "If you're not 'blood,' you will 'bleed.'"  Aren't people friendly? 

One.

One year ago today we were here, together.

I wore a pretty dress.

And held a beautiful bouquet.  

One year ago today we kissed and I knew that you would forever be the only person I kiss.

One year ago today I couldn't stop smiling. And I don't think I've stopped ever since.

One year ago today we placed these on each other's fingers and promised to always love each other.

One year ago today I woke up alone, and yet haven't been alone since.

My love, we have had some great times together.
People say the first year of marriage is the hardest.
If that's true, our life together is going to be fabulous, because we've had one heck of a great year.
You make me laugh more than anyone else.
And when I look at you, I can't help but smile wide and think how incredibly lucky I am.
I'm lucky to have you all to myself.  I'm lucky to be your wife.
And boy am I lucky to have you love me.

Thanks for giving me such a great first year babe, I can't wait to see what the next ones will bring.  

North Carolina, I think you're pretty enough to move to one day

On vacation we spent a week at Topsail, NC with Beau's family.  

There was about 25 of us all packed into two beautiful beach houses.  

We spent the week bumming it at the beach, surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and just exploring the beach.

The beach was so different from in Hawaii, but it was absolutely gorgeous.  Hawaii has beautiful water, but the beaches themselves are super narrow.  It was nice to be able to be on such a wide beach.  

We had such a fun week and can't wait to spend another vacation with everyone next summer. 

Yep, that would be a shark washed up on the beach. Cool? Gross? You choose.